Many of us miss the feeling of purpose we had on Monday mornings as we would get ready for work. People expected you, depended on you and appreciated your contributions.

In the next chapter it can be challenging to find that same feeling especially as seniors with decades of experience and wisdom to share.

Volunteering can bring that feeling back. Your experience, time and attention are still valuable, and somewhere a person or organisation needs what you can offer.

You do not need to know exactly how you want to volunteer. Begin with something you already care about, whether that is education, animals, your community, the environment or sharing a skill built over years of work.

There are countless platforms that can help you find a place to contribute. forgood (South Africa) and Catchafire (global) are just two examples.

Set aside 15 minutes to think about what you’re passionate about, what genuinely matters to you and which causes you would like to support. That will help you find a volunteer role you’ll enjoy and want to continue.

After retiring, a woman in Pittsburgh volunteered to spend time with a lonely 90-year-old. What began as an offer of companionship grew into a close friendship between two great-grandmothers.

Their story shows what volunteering can create on both sides: connection, purpose and someone to look forward to seeing again.

One of the ironies of volunteering is that it’s often quite hard to find a good fit, especially at first. You might offer your time, apply for a role and still hear no.

Don’t let that put you off. Volunteering works best when there’s a good fit between what you care about and what an organisation does.

So keep looking for the causes, people and roles that feel right. Somewhere, your experience, energy and time could make a real difference.

You are needed. You just have to find the right place and people.