Work less - contribute more

Am struggling a little in life these days - 30 years working. Getting better paid all the time, more stressed all the time.

I'm not miles off being able to live a decent life earning less, maybe 5 years when I would be in late 50s. I'll be mortgage free, kids out of college, good pension and would be looking to do more worthwhile stuff. Maybe including early retirement and part time volunteering.

In the interim, and as a way to feel like I'm giving something back, and in prep for that potential future, I am looking at doing some volunteering work. Has anyone any experience of this? Tapering off paid work, starting to volunteer. I've read some stuff about warning to ensure you don't end up same stress levels volunteering, just not being paid for it.

Any helpful resources where to apply for roles, what to think about etc gratefully accepted.

Start with you local Residents Association and/or Tidy Towns Group...usually quite rewarding and sociable.

David_Dublin said:

Any helpful resources where to apply for roles,

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Have a look at this website;

Does your current organisation take part in any CSR activities ? Maybe start there and see if this sparks a connection/interest. Or look to your hobbies or interests, are there any organisations that you could think of that your skills and experience could offer value ?

Thanks for the replies. I think the Residents Association might do my head in! I'd come across volunteer.ie so I will follow up on that, see how I get on and report back. Good idea @misemoi to try find somewhere based on skillset/experience.

I unilaterally pick up litter on my walks. Doesn't require dealing or coordinating with anybody.

Definitely have a think about your hobbies and interests. If it's sport, for example, a lot of sports clubs would be glad of volunteers for organising leagues, etc. and events.

Or cultural institutions, galleries, museums, etc. often look for volunteers at times. Similarly, arts festivals and you also get to see the events for free usually, which is a nice bonus too. These are transitory events as well. So no worries about getting stuck in difficult relationships with the same people for a long time

You might be able to retire at an earlier date.
When you retire claim Jobseekers benefit. If you are a volunteer in an area where you are not replacing a paid employment, you can continue to claim Jobseekers benefit indefinitely.

Check this out at welfare.ie and citizens information.

My wife is an active volunteer in many areas.
National Gallery, stewarding at sporting and street events (Patrick's Day, Marathon, Disability sports etc) Archaeological digs, gardening in public places. Charity shop assistant. Assisting with immigrants from IPOS centres for day trips out.

That’s interesting @S class

I didn’t realise that.

Also keep an eye on BoardMatch -the area regularly looking for volunteers with diffraction skills and experience.

David_Dublin said:

In the interim, and as a way to feel like I'm giving something back, and in prep for that potential future, I am looking at doing some volunteering work. Has anyone any experience of this? Tapering off paid work, starting to volunteer. I've read some stuff about warning to ensure you don't end up same stress levels volunteering, just not being paid for it.

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You want to find a volunteering gig that is different from your current job. It's tempting to think that if you're, say an experienced accountant, lawyer, IT technician or whatever you can do most good by putting your skills at the disposal of a worthy cause, and you can see the logic in that. But there's a high risk that, as you say, you end up with all the disadvantages of your paid position, but without the pay.

So think about what it is in your current position that is getting on top of you, and then look for a volunteering role which lacks that feature. If, say, you're in a managerial position and you find management, or the expectations that those you manage have of you, stressful, then look for a useful but low-level role where you will not be managing anybody.

Also think about characteristics that you do want. Obviously, you'll want to think that the organisation you volunteer for is doing valuable things. But also ask yourself questions like "do I want the social connection of working in a team, or do I prefer to be responsible for my own work, and to work flexibly, at times that suit me? Do I want to work in a role where I serve needy clients directly, or in a more backroom role?"

To ease yourself into some weekend volunteer work checkout the various provincial fleadhanna in July and see which is closest to you. Always need extra hands. And then the All Ireland in Wexford in August

http://www.comhaltas.ie (www.comhaltas.ie)