Mentoring to fight against the social isolation of “old people”
Brussels, September 27, 2024 - 96% of the mentors enrolled in the DUO for a JOB mentoring program in Belgium say they feel useful as active members of society. A few days before the International Day of Older Persons (October 1, 2024), the association is publishing statistics on the benefits of mentoring for people aged 50+
“What DUO represents for me is first and foremost the fact of feeling useful at a time when in our life we sometimes have the impression that we are a bit on the wrong track” testifies Alain Vander Stappen, a pensioner from teaching since September 2021, and a mentor at DUO for a JOB for 2 years.
For many people in their sixties, retirement comes suddenly. However, they still feel active, want to participate in the world around them and do not want to stay home for the third part of their lives. By becoming a mentor at DUO for a JOB, they are committed to a voluntary, supportive and caring approach by supporting a young person with an immigration background for 6 months in their search for a job. But beyond employment, the program is a place of transformation for these mentors*:
82% develop new skills
96% feel useful as active members of society
66% feel happier
(*1148 answers - on a declarative basis)
“The word 'retirement' means 'retiring from active life' and, at least, with DUO for a JOB, we're still in good shape, we stay in contact with people who have lots of things to offer us. It's a great life experience!” adds Alain who, like the 2325 other active mentors of the association, participate in their own way in a more positive representation of seniors in our society.
