Volunteer Statement

For individuals volunteering with Understanding Ageing

At Understanding Ageing, we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributes their time, insight, creativity, and expertise to support our mission. Our volunteers play an important role in helping build a trusted, accessible, and thoughtful platform focused on ageing, longevity, health, wellbeing, research, and society.

Whether supporting through writing, community engagement, research awareness, events, partnerships, or strategic ideas, every contribution helps strengthen public understanding of ageing and the challenges and opportunities associated with it.

This statement outlines the mutual understanding between Understanding Ageing and our volunteers.

1. Our Commitment to Volunteers

We greatly value all contributions, whether large or small, and recognise the unique perspectives and expertise each volunteer brings.

We understand that your time is freely given and sincerely appreciated.

We aim to provide a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all volunteers.

Certificates of recognition may be provided upon request to acknowledge contributions and involvement.

Where appropriate, volunteer work such as articles, talks, interviews, or initiatives may be promoted with full credit to support professional visibility and development.

There is no required minimum time commitment. Participation is entirely voluntary and flexible around your availability.

2. Volunteer Activities

Our volunteers may:

• Write or contribute articles, blogs, interviews, or educational content
• Support awareness initiatives related to ageing, health, and wellbeing
• Assist with outreach to researchers, organisations, collaborators, or contributors
• Participate in meetings, webinars, or community discussions
• Share ideas for platform development, educational resources, or future initiatives
• Help promote Understanding Ageing content, events, and publications
• Support public engagement and accessibility initiatives

Volunteers are encouraged to contribute in ways that align with their interests, expertise, and availability.

3. Nature of the Relationship

Volunteering with Understanding Ageing is voluntary and unpaid.

Volunteers are not employees, workers, or contractors and are not covered by employment contracts or employment rights.

Either party may end the volunteer relationship at any time without formal notice.

4. Expenses

While we are not currently able to reimburse expenses, we hope to introduce reimbursement support in the future as the platform develops financially.

5. What We Ask of You

Please act respectfully, professionally, and thoughtfully in all interactions connected to Understanding Ageing.

We ask volunteers to support an evidence-informed, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Please respect confidentiality where appropriate and avoid sharing inaccurate or misleading information.

6. Content, Ownership & Credit

We aim to appropriately acknowledge volunteer contributions wherever relevant.

Any content produced as part of a volunteer role may be edited, adapted, or formatted to align with our editorial standards, accessibility requirements, and mission.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, work created on behalf of Understanding Ageing remains the intellectual property of the organisation.

7. Insurance & Liability

As a developing platform, Understanding Ageing does not currently provide volunteer insurance coverage. Volunteers remain responsible for their own wellbeing, conduct, and activities.

8. Our Shared Purpose

By volunteering with Understanding Ageing, you are helping to improve public understanding of ageing and contributing to more informed conversations around health, longevity, research, care, independence, and quality of life across society.

We are grateful for your support and contribution.