Every charitable organisation relies on volunteers in some form or another, with a diverse range of talents required. So, if you think you can’t be of help to others, think again. From legal secretaries to sports coaches, there is always someone who needs what you can offer. A lot of the opportunities don’t even require any experience. Right now, various organisations are looking for a dog transporter in Kildare, a meals-on-wheels driver in Cork and a befriender in Dún Laoghaire.

You don’t need to have a lot of time on your hands either; people with limited time are also needed for many different tasks, such as selling daffodils for the Irish Cancer Society on Daffodil Day, shaking a bucket for an hour at a supermarket or giving someone a lift to the supermarket to do their weekly shop.

The Volunteer Centre of Ireland (VCI) is an umbrella organisation for a network of 20 volunteer centres. Founded in 2001, it manages the only national online database of volunteering opportunities in Ireland. Organisations can upload volunteering opportunities and individuals can register to volunteer and view what’s currently required. The available opportunities are even categorised so you can choose according to your skills or preferences. If you can offer one hour a week or several hours, volunteering has never been so easy.

Sacha Johnston, manager at the Dublin City South Volunteer Centre says: “People who are over 55 have lots to offer in terms of their life experience, skills and perspective, which would be beneficial not just in befriending programmes for other elderly people but also as mentors or teachers for young people, helping in offices, crèches, community centres etc. I really see no limit in what or how they could be helpful to an organisation.”

In fact, some voluntary organisations actually canvas specifically for older helpers. At the Fáilte Isteach programme, older people teach conversational English to new migrants.

As part of the Bealtaine Festival, the VCI is holding a talk for older people to promote volunteering and the services of the volunteer centre in Terenure library on 21 May at 11am. There is also a fun and information evening to meet other volunteers and the staff of the volunteer centre, and to find out more about volunteering, also on 21 May, at 6pm in The Dublin Food Co-op, 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8.

There are many benefits to be gained from volunteering. In research study funded by the Royal Irish Academy, entitled Benefits and barriers to involvement: Understanding and assessing the personal outcomes of volunteering, volunteers expressed highly positive perceptions of their experience of volunteering. Many felt their voluntary work made a difference to other people’s lives and enhanced their understanding of the world around them. They also said that volunteering made them feel better about themselves.

Further studies have shown that elderly people who volunteer live longer than their non-volunteering counterparts. Marc A Musick, author of Volunteering and mortality among older adults, found that “volunteering has a protective effect on mortality among those who volunteered for one organisation for 40 hours or less over the past year”.

Allen Lux, author of The healing power of doing good, describes caring for others as caring for ourselves. His studies have shown that people who volunteer regularly “are more likely than others to view their health as better than any others of their age”.

There are plenty of reasons to volunteer and plenty of opportunities to choose from. So join in, lend a hand or an ear; helping others helps you. By volunteering, you stay active, feel connected and build self-esteem. You might also learn new skills, personally and professionally, all while helping others who need it.