Lifestyle – As the so-called third generation plays an ever increasing part in community life, STEPHEN CORRIGAN discovers how older volunteers can get as much as they give Volunteering, by its nature, provides an outlet for people of all ages to engage with their community but for the retired it provides a purpose that can be lost with the end of the ‘daily grind’.

But more times than not, volunteers providing a service in areas that might otherwise be neglected, whether it’s support in the form of charity, or through local clubs that nurture a sense of community.

Much of that work is done by older people, having stepped back from their jobs but are still determined to contribute positively to their communities and society as a whole.

Castlegar man Stephen Hosty is just one of hundreds of volunteers across Galway who give their time and energy to countless causes – and for him, volunteering is a way of life.

“When you look at it, we’re all volunteers in one way or another, and we don’t realise it. Going back the years, I was doing it in Castlegar Hurling Club, as assistant secretary or helping out with raffles here and there. I was on committees in Corinthians, but you don’t think of it as volunteering. You’re stuck in, as are hundreds of people, and that’s what keeps everything going,” says 72-year-old Stephen.

It’s only when retirement comes about that the label ‘volunteer’ comes to the fore, and following heart surgery, Stephen’s association with one Galway charity became more defined.

“I got deeply involved with Croí which is a really good organisation. I put a lot of time in there and I don’t begrudge one second of it because I get back more back in satisfaction than I ever put in,” he says.

He’s also involved with the local church, is Chief Steward at the Sportsground for Connacht home games and was previously the chairperson of Castlegar National School Board of Management – not to mention a number of other groups he helps out with locally. But he’s keen to stress that he’s not an anomaly and there are countless more locally doing all sorts of work for the betterment of their area and its residents.

A recent report from Edward Lifesciences which found that the volunteer efforts of older people are not only recognised but are hugely appreciated by young people.

Stephen said this finding is very heartening and said while he always felt there was some level of recognition there, it was a pleasant surprise to see just how strong it was.

“The most pleasing part of the survey for me was to see, particularly in Galway, that 90% of young people looked up to the contribution of the older generation which is great to see.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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