Part time work

Not everyone can afford to take a luxury cruise or pay golf membership fees. Plus, it too would get boring after a few months. The bigger issue is that we don't all want to stop working as such, and some of us need the money. Importantly, we all need something to do to feel useful. It's not like we fill our days by hunting and gathering food, making clothes, tending to fires, etc. It's natural to feel like you should be doing something productive; like you should continue being a valuable member of society.

The biggest determiner around the kind of work you want to do will be money. If money isn't a factor, and it's more about keeping busy and mixing with people, then you can explore both the voluntary and paid work sectors. Otherwise, it's time to get creative.
Paid work for the over 60s
It's nice to think we live in a world where employers don't discriminate when considering hiring older people. Unfortunately, some do. Therefore, before you embark on this journey, it's important to set your expectations. You've likely accepted that age is not on your side for the general job pool, but hopefully you know that over the years you've clocked up some amazing skills; maturity and life experience still count for a lot in certain professions. How many hours you want to work will also dictate what type of work you can apply for, and it's important to check if any extra income could affect the benefits you already receive or are due for as part of your pension. If you need some inspiration, here's a look at what other retirees do when the job pages look bleak.
Dog walking
If you're a dog lover, chances are you've said a few sad goodbyes in your time. Maybe you said your last four legged friend was the last you'd have. Dog walking is a perfect choice. You can earn good money too. Not only can you earn up to £10 per hour for every dog you walk, but it will keep you in shape and give you the chance to chat to other people who are out walking their own dogs; like dogs, people who own them are generally quite sociable. You don't need any qualifications, but you need to be confident. If you want to advertise beyond people you know, it's best to get liability insurance. It's not expensive, there are policies designed specifically for the pet care industry, and you'll be covered in case there's an accident caused by or involving the dogs in your care. The level of cover is priced accordingly, and will cost more if you use your car. If you like, you can also expand your services to pet sitting.
Work from home
If you're not mobile, or aren't looking for much social interaction, then working from home using your computer might be the answer. If you've got retail experience, then buying and selling goods on places like eBay can be quite lucrative. Otherwise, there's dozens of other options including freelance writing, help-desk support, and carrying out market research. All you need is an internet connection and a few skills in the given area. Please note, not all work from home opportunities are worth your time, and not all are bona fide. But there's lots of information available at your fingertips to help you gauge the market.
Rent out your spare room
This won't appeal to everyone. For some, sharing your home with a stranger can be quite daunting; for others, it's the best thing they did. However, if you've looked at the cost of renting a room lately, you'll know it can turn a decent profit. If you live in commuter distance to a major city, then you don't have to let it out full-time, you can rent it to professionals Monday to Friday only. Or if you fancy doing something different, you can host foreign students and help them immerse in British culture, and it will help you learn about theirs.
Become self-employed
If you couldn't wait to retire so you could finally do things your way, then going back to work, to work for someone else, might not be appealing. In recent years, there's been a surge in people over the age of 60 taking up self-employment. Lots of us can transfer skills from our previous careers and offer a consultancy service, or turn our hobbies and life skills into paid work. From doing ironing to giving specialist advice, the scope for working for yourself is vast.
Put your best foot forward
A short search online will give you plenty more ideas about what type of work is available, but if you want to find something local, just a couple of hours a week to get you out and about, why not call into a few shops and cafes next time you're in town? You never know.

Volunteering your time has many rewards. If you're financially comfortable and at a loose end, there are hundreds of good causes urgently needing help (not money). Deciding which ones to help should be the only issue here. To make volunteering as fulfilling as possible, you should choose a cause that's dear to your heart. Let's take a look at look at your options:
Charity work
Research by the Royal Voluntary Service revealed 1 in 5 of us do charity work, with 10% of us volunteering for more than one. The work involved can be varied an interesting, and you will no doubt meets loads of new people and make lots of friends. Though women tend to be drawn to children's charities, half of all children are boys too, and a good male role model or someone to kick a ball with could make a big difference. If you love nature, places like RSPB and national nature reserves always appreciate a hand; or you could get involved with a regeneration project and help plant trees, monitor vegetation and wildlife or pick litter. Depending on what you're comfortable with or trained in, the homeless, abused, and people suffering with mental illness or addiction are all avenues worth exploring. For a list of what's going on near you, visit the RVS now.
Non-charity volunteering
We've heard the horror stories about one dodgy charity or another, and so most of us always check if they're official and registered. But not all voluntary work is for charities, and not all people needing help can register as one.
Help coach sports
If you used to play sports, helping out a Sunday or after school club could be the answer. Football, tennis, hockey, water-sports; whatever your interests, doing this will keep you fit and make you feel ten years younger.
Community gardens
There's been a massive resurgence of urban garden projects recently. Marrow's growing outside police stations, herbs in tubs decorating pavements, there's no end where community gardeners find space to plant useful things. If you've got green fingers, or you'd like to learn how to grow your own food, then this one's for you.
Go abroad
Many of you have opted to combine travel with helping people. If you're fancying seeing more of the world but are weary about going alone, volunteering abroad is a great solution. Many ex-pats have left home to start projects in faraway places, and they usually struggle to find reliable people who don't just hang around for free food and accommodation while tanning themselves. The range of work is almost limitless, and whatever skills you have will have a suitor. One thing to watch out for is organisations who ask for money. It's up to you, but if you're giving your time, you shouldn't really be giving your money too. Some ask for costs towards food, etc. This sounds plausible, but is it?
Other thoughts
Some pensioners help their local church or even help the aged. If you believe in karma, then you could spend a few hours a week chewing the fat with someone older who's lonely and without family. In today's world, there's always someone in need. Write down your interests and take it from there. Whatever work you do, it's vital you enjoy it, and don't take on so much responsibility that you become stressed (and sick). Ideally, it should be worthwhile and serve its purpose - giving you another interest in life.