72-Year-Old Barbara Riener Leads 'Zeitpolster' Volunteers in Austria
Barbara Riener, a 72-year-old woman from Leonding, Upper Austria, is making a significant impact on her community through the 'Zeitpolster' association. This organisation supports elderly people in their daily lives, and Barbara has built a dedicated team of 23 volunteers. She believes that giving back through local volunteering in retirement benefits both herself and those she helps.
Barbara's initiative, 'Zeitpolster', is a new form of retirement provision that originated in Japan. It allows volunteers to provide services to the elderly, with each hour of service costing 11 euros. The person providing the service receives 5.50 euros credit for future use. To spread awareness about this model, informational events are scheduled for Monday, October 6, at Allhartingerhof in Leonding and Tuesday, October 7, at Kulturzentrum Schoeffl in Engerwitzdorf. Andrea Schmied is organising these events.
Barbara has assembled a team of 23 volunteers, but more are needed to meet the growing demand. She believes that supporting others through local volunteering in retirement not only helps the community but also keeps her active and engaged.
The 'Zeitpolster' association, led by Barbara Riener, is a testament to the power of volunteering in retirement. With upcoming informational events in Leonding and Engerwitzdorf, the organisation aims to recruit more volunteers to support the elderly. The model, with its unique credit system, encourages active ageing and community engagement.
