 Cynthia Ford has been volunteering for the past 11 years |
Volunteers' week, which aims to raise the profile of the UK's 22 million volunteers, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Backed by organisations like Amnesty International and the British Red Cross, the week promotes ways of thanking and recruiting volunteers.
BBC Wales News Online has spoken to one 83-year-old, who, despite her age, has been volunteering for more than a decade.
Cynthia Ford, from Newport, volunteers at the city's Citizen Advice Bureau.
She retired as a legal executive when she was 70, but since then she has been advising clients at the bureau - and has no plans to stop.
"Before I retired I was working six days a week," she said.
"My family said to me when I decided to retire that I should do something else because I would never slow down.
"So I said to them that I was thinking of doing some voluntary work and they were very pleased."
But Cynthia said she was worried to start with because she thought the bureau might not employ her because of her age.
"I didn't think they would take me on as I was over 65," she said.
"But when I came for an interview I said to them, 'do you realise I'm 70 - am I too old?'
"But they said 'no, we take every age'. "I was so relieved about that."
The 83-year-old said she would encourage anyone to volunteer because it gave her a lot of satisfaction.
"I enjoy it immensely," she said.
"You go home and you think 'yes - a good day's work. I've helped someone today'.
'Put at ease'
"It's so important to try and help people - what's the point of life otherwise?
"I strike up a relationship with the people I advise. You'd be surprised how they open to me.
"I put them at their ease. It's nice when people trust you.
"I don't think people care that I'm older - I hope not anyway.
"I try and get my friends to volunteer too, it's such a good thing to do. I try and grab them as they're reaching retirement age."
Cynthia said that she did not think that her age made any real difference to the work.
"While I'm doing it I don't get tired at all. I suppose the adrenalin keeps you going.
"But I must admit when I get home, have a keep of tea and relax I get tired.
"In fact when I'm at home I'm asleep most of the time," she added.
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When I'm at home I'm asleep most of the time 
