Expectations of Immigrant Women and Older Adults on Encountering each other in Volunteer Work

Volunteer work is popular in Finland, but as in other European countries, immigrants are underrepresented in volunteer organizations. Volunteer work is known to have many benefits for both immigrants and older adults. However, the researchers could not find previous studies on the expectations of these two vulnerable groups for encountering each other in volunteer work. The purpose of this study was to describe the thoughts of immigrant women (n=19) and older adults (n=19) on volunteer work with older adults. The data were collected through individual interviews in 2019 and 2020. The data were analyzed through inductive content analysis. The results show that both groups had fears and prejudice towards both each other and volunteer work, but both also saw benefits in it. The immigrant women’s descriptions emphasized limits caused by their culture and the lack of financial incentives. The older adults’ descriptions did not mention these perspectives. The study produced valuable information on both groups’ expectations on encountering each other in volunteer work. Both are beneficiaries, who must be trained in encountering each other. Training can be used to dispel prejudice, plan ways to spend time together and build trust between different parties. The responsibility for organizing training should be with the volunteer organization in charge of the project.