How will I spend my time?

In the Workplace

Paid employment is important. It offers financial stability, social engagement, and a sense of purpose.

Being in work also allows older adults to share their experience, contribute to the economy, and remain active members of society.

There are challenges. Age discrimination[8], a lack of flexible work options, caring responsibilities and health concerns are all barriers to staying in work or re-entering the workforce[9].

In Torbay…

Organisations like Eat That Frog and I Can Do That Torquay support people to stay in work or get back into the workplace. They offer help with mental health and wellbeing, confidence-building, career advice and employability skills.

Torbay residents views: 1. I don’t want to stay at home. I think when you stay at home it can lead to “giving up” and I say that because people cannot afford to do some of the things on offer, such a lot of activities have costs associated with them and the basic state pension isn’t enough to have a life on. I have a life, but I have to work for that. 2, Physically and mentally, it gives me the motivation to get up an go, it gives me purpose. It adds structure to my life and provides the mental stimulation you need to maintain. — Torbay Residents experiences of living and working in Torbay

Volunteering

Older adults are the backbone of the UK’s volunteer workforce. They serve as mentors, trustees, and community leaders, bringing experience and wisdom to voluntary roles.

Crucially, volunteering not only benefits wider society, it can also have significant health and wellbeing benefits for volunteers themselves[10].

Volunteer with multi-coloured hands below.

In Torbay…

Three views from local residents: Being a volunteer really did change my life for the better. Volunteering got me into the full time job I have now. Volunteers often tell us that being a volunteer helps their own wellbeing as well as benefiting the community. — Credit: Volunteers and Community Builders in Torbay

The ‘Torbay Together’ community hub is a way for people to connect by finding out what’s on in their community, accessing volunteer opportunities and exchanging skills in a timebank.

Caring

One in nine of the population over the age of five years in Torbay is a carer.

2021 census: unpaid carers in Torbay. There are 14,900 unpaid carers in Torbay - 1 in 9 of the population over 5 years. 5,185 unpaid carers provide 50 hours or more if unpaid care per week. Rates of unpaid care higher in Torbay than England across all ages - although the majority are 50 years and over. — [11]

Being a carer is one of the most important and rewarding things we can do.

But carers need help and support too.

Being a carer can affect the carer’s health and wellbeing, social contact and ability to do things they enjoy. Many unpaid carers in Torbay report experiencing financial difficulties because of their role, and they face challenges in accessing information and advice.

Carol and Peter explain the challenges of being a carer, and what the support of Torbay Carers aid means to them.

Carol and Positivity

Peter and Breakfast Club

Click or tap to play the films

Credit: Torbay Carers Service

Recommendations:

Promote access to work and volunteering opportunities.

Promote support for carers.

[8] Centre for Ageing Better (2021) Too much experience [online] Available at: https://ageing-better.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/too-much-experience.pdf

[9] Price L (2023) Why aren’t older workers returning to work? [online] Available at : https://ageing-better.org.uk/blogs/why-arent-older-workers-returning-work

[10] Weziak-Bialowolska D., Skiba R., Bialowolski P., Longitudinal reciprocal associations between volunteering, health and well-being: evidence for middle-aged and older adults in Europe, European Journal of Public Health, Volume 34, Issue 3, June 2024, Pages 473–481, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae014

[11] Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 13 February 2023, ONS website, article, Unpaid care by age, sex and deprivation, England and Wales: Census 2021

Will I be lonely?

Where will I live?

Go to start

Go to end

How will I spend my time?

In the Workplace

Paid employment is important. It offers financial stability, social engagement, and a sense of purpose.

Being in work also allows older adults to share their experience, contribute to the economy, and remain active members of society.

There are challenges. Age discrimination[8], a lack of flexible work options, caring responsibilities and health concerns are all barriers to staying in work or re-entering the workforce[9].

In Torbay…

Organisations like Eat That Frog and I Can Do That Torquay support people to stay in work or get back into the workplace. They offer help with mental health and wellbeing, confidence-building, career advice and employability skills.

Volunteering

Older adults are the backbone of the UK’s volunteer workforce. They serve as mentors, trustees, and community leaders, bringing experience and wisdom to voluntary roles.

Crucially, volunteering not only benefits wider society, it can also have significant health and wellbeing benefits for volunteers themselves[10].

In Torbay…

The ‘Torbay Together’ community hub is a way for people to connect by finding out what’s on in their community, accessing volunteer opportunities and exchanging skills in a timebank.

Caring

One in nine of the population over the age of five years in Torbay is a carer.

Being a carer is one of the most important and rewarding things we can do.

But carers need help and support too.

Being a carer can affect the carer’s health and wellbeing, social contact and ability to do things they enjoy. Many unpaid carers in Torbay report experiencing financial difficulties because of their role, and they face challenges in accessing information and advice.

Carol and Peter explain the challenges of being a carer, and what the support of Torbay Carers aid means to them.

Carol and Positivity

Peter and Breakfast Club

Click or tap to play the films

Recommendations:

Promote access to work and volunteering opportunities.

Promote support for carers.

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