Experiences of Volunteering: A Qualitative Study of Intergenerational Volunteerism in the Snow Buddies Program and Similar Volunteer Initiatives in Niagara

Abstract

Snow Buddies is an intergenerational volunteer program in the Niagara Region that recruits’ youth volunteers to remove snow and ice from the driveways and walkways of older adult clients with disabilities. Research demonstrates that involvement in intergenerational volunteer programs between older adults and youth can benefit both groups through building communication skills and new relationships (Blais et al., 2017). There is a gap in the literature addressing intergenerational volunteerism between youth and older adults outside of specific contexts, such as long-term care homes (Hickey et al., 2004; Kim & Lee, 2018; Santini et al., 2018). As such, this qualitative research explores youth and older adults’ experience of being a part of the Snow Buddies program and similar volunteer initiatives in general and throughout unique times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth volunteers (ages 14-25), older adult clients (76-87) and one older adults’ family member participated in semi-structured interviews to share their experiences of being a part of the Snow Buddies program or a similar volunteer initiative. Data were gathered from 14 participants: 9 volunteers (55% female), 4 clients, and 1 family member. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to code and analyze all interview transcripts. Participants reported that the Snow Buddies program and similar volunteer initiatives created a sense of belonging through an intergenerational connection, as well as a sense of personal fulfillment for volunteers. They also reported that the program was physically and socially challenging at times for volunteers and clients, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from this research have program related implications for perceived benefits of an intergenerational volunteer program between youth and older adults, due to its unique study design and participant sample. As well, there are risk mitigation implications for volunteering during a unique time such as the COVID-19 pandemic.