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Time on Your Hands

CSV's (Community Service Volunteers) 'Time On Your Hands' project will offer volunteering opportunities and benefit people throughout the Highlands and Islands. With bases in Inverness and Stornoway, the project will strengthen links between generations, and increase the over 50’s involvement in the region's communities.

At a time when older people are embarking on a new stage in life, ‘Time on Your Hands’ aims to help the over 50s find a more positive structure to life, offer the feeling of a sense of achievement, and improve general health. In an area where many can become isolated, it is important for people to recognise that they are a useful and important part of their community.

A varied programme of volunteering activities are planned, matching life-skills of the over 50s to a need in the community. One aspect being to encourage over 50s to help children in 100 schools with their revision, or assist those whose first language is not English. This will lead to greater respect between young and old, tapping into the wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years by older volunteers.

Other activities include walking, knitting and historical groups, and there will be opportunities to volunteer in care homes, day care centres and hospitals. Gaelic speakers in the area will be involved in sharing their knowledge of local heritage and culture.

What the group says:

Why should people vote for us?

We will use the skills, talents and lifetime experience of the expanding over 50s age group to help their own local communities. Research shows that this kind of project can help a child's reading age, break down the isolation experienced by many housebound older people, and make a hospital visit easier to cope with. Their lifetime experience is a great way to bring different generations together and have a lot of fun along the way!

What will we spend the money on?

Funding will be used to operate from offices in Inverness and Stornoway, recruit, train and support volunteers and develop projects that match community needs.

CSV Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme website

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