One good reason to volunteer - It because it keeps me young!

Volunteering locally is a great way for older people to share their life experiences and skills with people of all ages in their community, enabling them to stay active and interested while helping others and acquiring even more skills along the way!

This is why the "One Good Reason" campaign was started - as you need only "one good reason" to volunteer. The campaign was developed by the Volunteer Development Agency together with the VSB and The North West Volunteer Centre. It is part of the Unlocking Potential Project which encourages and increases volunteering among over 60s.

Two local women in Belfast are inspiring role models for anyone over 60 who is considering volunteering. Mrs Phyllis Watson is 75 and has been volunteering since 1949 when she started Belfast's Olympus club for girls, and remained a leader for 19 years.

Phyllis said: "I have always been involved in volunteering, it is not something that I planned to do, it is just that something always comes up.”

“Because of my background working with children and young people, I think it is important to try to get them motivated and involved in different things and the best way to do that is to be a positive role model and be involved yourself!

“I also volunteer for Scouts Northern Ireland, where I am a part time warden.

“We look after young people when they do activities such as archery and assault courses.

“Although I do not do the assault course myself, I am there to make sure that the children are safe and enjoying themselves.

“I love it because it keeps me young!”

Phyllis added that she has made a lot of friends during the course of her years spent volunteering and has some simple advice for interested people: "Get involved and forget about being lonely! Without volunteering my life would be empty, I have made so many friends."

Mrs Pat Kelly, 61, a mother of five with seven grandchildren, from South Belfast agrees. One of her achievements is having introduced goat's milk to be introduced to the local market for the benefit of her own children and others with eczema who are allergic to cow's milk. Pat helped out in the more deprived areas of Belfast, becoming involved in cross community projects. She volunteers with the Newlodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership and offers service users a variety of therapies including Reiki, reflexology, Indian Head Massage, acupuncture, Bush flower remedies and Hopi candles which along with all the time and attention have all made their lives that much better.

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