Targeted at staff with a role in managing volunteers, the aim of this good practice guide is to improve recruitment of older people as volunteers. The analysis is based on published work which focuses on older people as volunteers.

It begins with a brief look at the state of volunteering by older people and points out the advantages to organisations of involving them. It goes on to look at attitudinal and practical barriers and organisations’ responsibility to remove them.

It explores the special factors which need to be taken into account with regard to recruitment, selection, placing and supporting older volunteers. Practical measures, like finding insurance providers, dealing with disability and payment of out of pocket expenses are highlighted as is the need for flexibility and recognition.

The report concludes that volunteer managers and their organisations have many lines of action at their disposal, which this guide outlines, advocating a careful scrutiny of current ways of working.