http://www.reserveinc.org/

"ReServe is an innovative nonprofit that matches continuing professionals age 55+ (ReServists) with organizations that need their expertise. Nonprofits and public agencies (Partners) can tap into a lifetime of experience to fill crucial staffing gaps at affordable rates. ReServists can do great things for their communities while they put their professional expertise to work on part-time service projects, in exchange for a modest hourly stipend."

A clever scheme in the US that promotes and validates older people's experience and knowledge, as well as providing invaluable resources for those organisations that would really benefit - and while on a tight budget.

The cost is $15 an hour, for at least 10 hours a week. The ReServist gets $10 while the rest goes on contributions and admin. The ReServist gets some money for their time, the organisation gets expertise and ReServe gets funds to continue helping other people. Also, the Government gets some revenue back - possibly from people that perhaps wouldn't otherwise be working/be able to find work.

Interestingly, I can't seem to find anything like this (for older people) in the UK. It sounds as though something like this could be quite useful in this country, although perhaps older people are more inclined to 'just' volunteer for tax and pension purposes. Will keep looking...