Charities struggle to recruit volunteers. Combined effects of rising prices and the number of beneficiaries with less available retirees. Example in Montauban in Tarn-et-Garonne.
At 65, Pierre is one of the essential volunteers of Secours Populaire de Montauban. This retiree specializing in logistics gives his time and energy every day for the association and the most deprived. In good physical condition, he can load and unload crates and manage stocks.
“Having reached retirement, when you still feel capable of doing something, it’s good to do volunteer work, rather than staying at home“, estimates this retiree for three years.
To succeed in volunteering, you have to be part of a team. Here it really is. There is a real team and great understanding.
A happy volunteer, therefore one who would like to emulate others. Because it is the crisis of volunteering in charitable associations: everyone is sounding the alarm. The beneficiaries are more and more numerous: + 16% in this Montauban depot. However, with the pension reform, there is a risk of shortage of resources. The situation was already tense since the health crisis.
“A volunteer who arrives with us is already over 60 years old“, explains Christelle Gagnereaux, general secretary of Secours Populaire in Tarn-et-Garonne. “With this reform, they will be over 64 years old, with their entire professional career behind them. So I don’t know if they will have the time and the desire to come and help us.“.
In 2020, 40% of over 65s were volunteers, they are no longer 25% today. At Secours catholique de Montauban, a recruitment campaign has just been launched:
Here, we are looking for volunteers to give French lessons and help with integration to refugees. But some days no one shows up. The model may need to be rethought.
“We actually promote this commitment among the younger generations. Being able to adapt our organization to connect people who can help and who want to help but not in the same way as older generations“, explains Stéphanie Roussel, coordinator of Réseau Solidarité Secours Catholique in Montauban.
#inflation #pension #reform #weighing #charities
