Join Ben and Ian as they chat with Jenny Sawyer from Anglicare about what it means to volunteer as a grandparent. Discover why grandparents like Rod and Robyn, active in disaster recovery and community service, find fulfillment and purpose in giving back. Learn about the diverse ways grandparents can volunteer, the impact of their contributions, and how personal skills can be leveraged to serve. This conversation offers encouraging insights into the role of elders in fostering intergenerational support and community connection.

Places you could volunteer

• Hope 103.2: Volunteer at Hope 103.2

• National Grandparent Movement: Visit ngmlegacy.com.au for the National Grandparent Movement.

• Anglicare Australia: Visit anglicare.org for more information on volunteering opportunities.

• Live Up: Visit liveup.org.au various volunteering ideas for retirees. 

• Volunteering Australia: Visit volunteeringaustralia.org for the national peak body for volunteering.

Key Takeaways:

• Volunteering Provides Fulfillment: Volunteering offers grandparents a sense of purpose and joy, allowing them to contribute their time and experience in meaningful ways.

• Diverse Volunteer Opportunities: Grandparents can volunteer in numerous capacities, from disaster recovery efforts to community outreach through simple acts of kindness.

• Intergenerational Impact: Volunteering helps strengthen bonds across generations, as grandparents model compassion and service for their grandchildren.

• Practical Training and Flexibility: Organizations like Anglicare offer streamlined training for volunteers, making it easy and accessible even for those with limited time.

• Significant Contribution by Retirees: Grandparents are a critical force within the volunteer community, significantly contributing to the economy through unpaid care and service.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Why wouldn't I choose to do that?" - Jenny Sawyer on the motivation behind volunteering as a grandparent.

2. "You will come to a point where you think, I'm still able to do stuff, I wonder what's out there." - Ian Barnett reflecting on the ongoing value of contributing even in older age.

3. "I think people are volunteering in all sorts of ways." - Ian Barnett expanding on the various forms volunteering can take.

4. "An 8-minute phone call can make the difference of looking forward to having a chat." - Jenny Sawyer on the impact of simple connections.

5. "70% of our volunteer workforce in disaster recovery are grandparents." - Jenny Sawyer highlighting grandparents' role in disaster response.

Click here for more on Ian Barnett, National Grandparent Movement and extra resources.

Episodes hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message (Message the GrandParenthood Team) or via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.