Date : 10-09-21

Much is spoken and written about the benefits of lifelong learning and how it contributes to healthy ageing. Formal, structured learning programs and activities that offer informal learning can boost your physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Volunteering is also a great way to remain healthy and active during your golden years. Besides sharing your time, skills, and experience with others in the community, volunteering is an excellent opportunity to:

• Meet new people and develop new friendships
• Gain new perspectives and ideas from these interactions
• Develop a greater appreciation for diversity of thought and action
• Expand your knowledge base and experience a sense of fulfillment

Meaningful Ways to Contribute Your Time, Skills and Experience 

Volunteering is about enriching people's lives in your community or academic institution with your knowledge and experience. More than that, it is also about learning new things, beating boredom, and stretching your mind to feel fresh and rejuvenated.

Here are some of the ways you can volunteer in your community:

• Become a guest lecturer to teach at an academic institution. If you are in touch with your alumni networks, find out about volunteering opportunities at your alma mater.
• Volunteer as a coach or mentor to people in your field of work by connecting with a past employer or through other professional support associations or institutions.
• Become an organizer, coordinator, or contributor for local community events or initiatives that focus on social causes or community outreach and uplifting. For example:
  • Give your time to a homeless shelter, a local seniors’ centre, or a library
  • Spend time at an animal shelter
  • Assist the management team in a neighbourhood school
  • Serve in a soup kitchen or food bank
  • Tutor or mentor children
  • Donate food, books, clothes or other unwanted items to local community outreach centres
  • Assist in tree plantation drives or park and trail cleanups in your neighbourhood.

Explore Volunteering Opportunities at The LIFE Institute in Toronto

Interested in sharing your skills, knowledge, experience, ideas or perspective with your learning community? The LIFE Institute in Toronto offers an excellent gateway to explore volunteering opportunities where you can contribute towards community development and growth. Whether you have a few hours per month or multiple days per week, you can choose how long and how often to volunteer.

As part of our alliance with Ryerson University 's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education , you will have access to several programs that provide volunteering opportunities for older adults. For example:

• Conversation Connections is an intergenerational and intercultural program that pairs you with young students to improve their English language skills. This could be an exciting opportunity to share your wisdom while being exposed to fresh thoughts and ideas shared by the younger generation.
• Caring Clowns provides hands-on training that allows you to volunteer at long-term centres and bring laughter, joy and fun into the lives of the residents.

Our strategic partnership with Ryerson University has led to a plethora of options for continuing education and later life learning, along with various volunteer groups for older adults in Toronto. Besides the above examples, you will find many other volunteering opportunities in the field of music, performing arts and drama, health and wellness, and more.

Explore our lifelong learning programs that promote healthy ageing . Write to us at info@thelifeinstitute.ca to learn more about LIFE membership and how you can get involved.