2016 Annual Conference
November 7–11, 2016
Albuquerque, NM
The gift of learning: adult learning, volunteers and the gift relationship
Session Abstract
Learning for the Fourth Age (L4A) is a social enterprise matching ‘learning mentors’ with older people wanting to learn who were living in care or domiciliary settings. This independent evaluation highlights the rich experiences of these volunteers, who were unexpected mutual beneficiaries; most of whom were students in higher education.
Target Audience
Researchers and practitioners interested in the impact of volunteering on adults.
Session Description
I want to touch on volunteers and the nature of volunteering in educational contexts in England. I want to show that they are sometimes recruited out of necessity but not really welcomed. And I want to touch on how they are perceived in social policy terms. I will finish with a review of what it might mean for the education of adults.