Category: Volunteering

Age skills charity sector

Age and Skills in the Charity Sector

Jean MerryleesEmployment

“By and large however, candidates are saying that it’s being “older” that’s the problem. And generally that means over 40, with 41% of candidates over 40 saying they’ve been discriminated against on account of their age in the charity sector. We never expected age discrimination to be the candidates’ biggest complaint.”

This week on the our blog we hear from Jean Merrylees of charityjob.co.uk, who discusses their recent research into age and skills in the charity sector. With some surprising results…

Hundreds of runners taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon run along the river bank

Run the Royal Parks Half Marathon!

George HarveyEvents

It was a strangely sunny October day when our five fantastic fundraisers started the first of the thirteen miles that make up the 2017 Royal Parks Half Marathon. We were so proud of our runners, who put in all the effort to train and fundraise in the months leading up to the big day, before performing brilliantly across the entire 13.1 mile course – raising over £2000 to help London to love later life in the process!

Now it’s your turn.

There are still spaces available for the 2018 Royal Parks Half Marathon! Here’s all you need to know to run on behalf of Age UK London!

transport for london techy tea party

Tea and Technology with Transport for London

Carmen Muriana CoboDigital Inclusion

“When Susie proposed the Techy Tea Parties as a volunteering opportunity for our team, I didn’t hesitate to participate. I thought that it would be an excellent opportunity to provide a service to older people and learn from them at the same time.”

Last week, Susanna Bass of Transport for London wrote about setting up a Techy Tea Party for older Londoners here at Age UK London. This week, Susanna’s colleague Carmen Muriana Cobo discusses her experience of the day’s events.

Jo Cox Commission

The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness

George HarveyDigital Inclusion

The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness shone the spotlight on isolation amongst older people between March and April 2017. Whilst loneliness affects people of all ages and walks of life, older people are especially at risk as they are more likely to experience deteriorating health and the death of a loved one.

It is our responsibility to continue to raise awareness around loneliness and the ways in which we can combat it.

How to help older people

How can we Really Help Older People?

Carl FrancisOlder Londoners

When I first came into the charity sector, I had so many questions. How do you create change in society? How do you actually help older people? How am I actually going to manage to get out of bed every morning to tackle my first 9 – 5 job?!

Thankfully the latter was easily solved simply by setting two alarms to get me out of bed in the morning and, more importantly, ensuring I had enough “desk snacks” to get me through the day.

The other two questions however, were a bit more difficult to answer…

Ideas Are Cheap – Volunteers Aren’t…

Paul GouldenVolunteering

I’ve previously praised the care minister, Norman Lamb, for saying that we need to look at the care in the home provided by care agencies – but today’s report, that he thinks Neighbourhood Watch should be involved in helping with the care of older people, nearly had me causing a motorway pile-up. Now I’ll start by saying that Neighbourhood Watch are a great organisation and good at doing what they do. They are strong here in Bexley and are an excellent example of community minded people giving up their time to keep neighbourhoods safe. So why did others drivers see […]