This report presents results of a 2021 study of older adult volunteerism in the Age-Friendly Niagara movement. Brock University researchers worked in partnership with the Age-Friendly Niagara Council, local municipal older adult advisory committees and municipal staff.  Eight key informant interviews and nine focus groups were held, with a total of 64 older adult volunteers and community champions across Niagara.

The report describes:

• the history and many of the tangible and significant changes driven by older adult volunteers at both the local municipal and the regional level, which have established the Age-Friendly movement in Niagara as a leader in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities and Community movement
• how collaboration and partnerships between forward-thinking community leaders, talented older adult volunteers with rich life experiences, combined with the political will of local governments, have helped each local community spread and grow the seeds of a “communities for all ages” across Niagara
• the invaluable role of stable support – budgetary, staff, and political – from the local municipal government, mayor, and councilors to the success and growth of the local older adult advisory committee
• the voices of many older adult volunteers regarding their motivations, perceived benefits and barriers, and concrete suggestions about how to sustain efforts in community volunteering in Niagara.
• challenges and opportunities for community volunteering in general, posed by the COVID 19 pandemic. “Participants’ insights make an important contribution to organizations and individuals seeking strategies to build a resilient community volunteering network in this challenging time”.

Published By: Brock University, in partnership with the Age-Friendly Niagara Council
Publication Date: January 2023

Click here to access the Community Study Report