Well, that’s my first week out of the way, and in one sense it was pretty successful.
I made up my mind some months ago that I wanted to do some voluntary work with animals for one day each week. I tried my local RSPCA rescue centre (where all of my pets over the past 30 years or so have come from) but all they had available was a food outreach programme that involved driving on motorways all day. That didn’t appeal at all so I made contact with my local zoo (Hertfordshire Zoo, formerly Paradise Wildlife Park) asking if I could do some voluntary zookeeping instead.
Well, I had my interview with the head of volunteering a couple of days ago. She started off by saying that everyone who applies wants “animals” (i.e. zookeeping) so that wouldn’t be possible. However, I could opt for gardening (much of which was animal side), park services (car parking, bins and general housekeeping, visitor support, etc) or the conservation shop (standard retail type stuff).
I agreed that gardening would be the best of those options, and we then chatted for the best part of an hour about animals generally, my relationships with them/pets, why I wanted to work with animals now, why the zoo, what else I might be able to offer, etc. I did have a rather embarrassing emotional breakdown when I was talking about Theo (our cat) being put down last year, but in any event after we’d finished talking she smiled at me and said “I’ve heard enough – I’m giving you animals!”
What a result – it’ll include everything from mammals/small primates to the big cats, bears and larger species, and will include feeding, sorting out the enclosures, building/modifying additional stuff to enhance the enclosure environments… I’m over the moon. I have an induction booked for tomorrow and then just need to get a few trial days out of the way before starting my one-day per week going forward.
I’m in a transition phase now. Being self employed the plan is that within the next few months we’ll be in a position of working part time with all income going to a holiday fund for travel or other discretionary things, until full retirement in a few years time.
When I planned retirement I had 2 or 3 things I wanted to look at as a volunteer etc which would give me some ‘core’ interests and activities. After a while some stuck, and some didn’t, which is just fine. My main volunter role has given me almost a new career, challenging and fulfilling, but it also leaves me with time for fun (and when I first retired room for my caring responsibilities).
I would say it is worth making sure your volunteering has some flexibility built in. It may be really enjoyable but you probably don’t want a full time committment. My wife found that she was constantly stepping up in one of her volunteer roles because others were unreliable and she felt guilty if tasks were not being covered. After a while she had to take a step back and say ‘hang on, I am a volunteer here, I am not responsible for running this service. That was called work.’
That sounds a fantastic result. Just think, you’ll be rolling around the grass with baby tigers, hugging and kissing them. The mother will come over and put her giant paw on your head, press it to the ground and give you a lick. 15 years later you’ll get the grown up cubs running over and knocking you over. They’ll never forget you. I’ve seen loads of programmes and it always happens
Yes, it’s going to be as flexible as I want/need it to be - I only have to meet the minimum of 2 days per month anyway.
I’m actually doing another voluntary half day a week, helping the (proper) oldies in a retirement home that my wife runs with their phones/IT. Looking forward to that too.
That’s a great story and of course we are going to need you to tell us from time to time how it’s going, especially the bits that will make all the animal lovers on the forum feel envious of you!
What a great story to start my Saturday internet browsing. Just goes to show how openness and emotional interaction with other humans is so important. Well done.
I’ve been working 3 days a week for 6 years now and will go another year and see how I feel. At my age it’s quite rewarding and have great interaction with younger staff members which I think keeps me thinking young
Besides its money in the kitty for travel, and helping others if need be
I hope you get great enjoyment from it. Certainly sounds like you’ll give your best to it.
Retirement can be great. I feel blessed to have been able to fully retire at 56. I’m now 60 and after 4 years experience I’m getting rather good at it!
