Volunteer in retirement

Retirement can sometimes be a challenging time for people as they make that transition from full time work to having an abundance of free time. Retirees often struggle with filling their days and finding that sense of fulfillment without the 9 to 5.

If you feel a bit lost in your retirement and are looking for that next project, volunteering for a charity is a fantastic way to meet new people, keep busy and find joy knowing you’re giving back to those in need. Just ask Starlight Children’s Foundation (Starlight) volunteer Jacki Townson, who signed up to be a volunteer in 2022, as soon as the Starlight Express Room at Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick opened back up after Covid-19 restrictions eased.

“Making a difference and taking an active role in life were core values that I was brought up with and volunteering has always been a key component of this. My retirement goal for as long as I can remember was to be a volunteer with Starlight,“ Jacki said.

Seriously ill and hospitalised children are often scared, stressed and isolated during treatment. Starlight’s vital hospital programs, including Captain Starlight and Starlight Express Rooms, where Jacki volunteers, provide a medical-free haven that allows sick kids and their families the opportunity to play, laugh and connect as a family, giving them precious moments of happiness during their stay.

“What could be more rewarding than helping people at their toughest time, allowing kids to be kids and to be able to escape and have fun and laughter. And I love that this applies to the whole family and support network including the siblings.”

For Jacki, there’s never a dull moment during her four-hour fortnightly shifts in the Starlight Express Room. “Every shift is different. Interacting with the kids is a cornerstone part of the role where I may be challenging myself using my under-developed art and craft skills, doing well at a board game, holding my own on the older-style video game machines, or losing badly on Nintendo or Xbox,” she said.

This year Starlight expects over 9,000 monthly visits to Starlight Express Rooms located in every major children’s hospital in Australia. Compared to last year, this is more than double the number of sick kids needing the fun, joy and laughter of Starlight, making the need for volunteers like Jacki greater than ever.

“You don’t need to be great at things, you just need to be willing to give it a go, roll up your sleeves and have fun. Everybody can make a difference; that few hours from you is worth so much to others,” said Jacki.