Volunteering for a better future: A pilot Sustainability Ambassadors Training Program. (21st March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solly, Kane; Smyer, Michael A.; Nichols, Kim; Steffens, Niklas K.; Kastelle, Timothy H.; Pachana, Nancy A.
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal on ageing. Volume 41:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: e206
• Page End: e209
• Publication Date: 2022-03-21
• Subjects: ageing -- climate change -- empowerment -- older adults -- sustainability -- training; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Australia -- Periodicals; Old age -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.13069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-6381

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Older adults are an untapped resource for leading sustainability change. This study assessed a pilot study of a Sustainability Ambassadors Training Program for older adults. Methods: The pilot training program was conducted with a sample of 14 older adults over a single day, with some follow‐up activities for participants at home. Activities included completing a sustainable action card‐sorting activity measuring an individual's ability to make sustainable changes within their lives. A brief researcher‐devised empowerment scale was administered pre‐ and postworkshop. Results: Quantitative data revealed that sustainability empowerment increased from pre‐ to post‐training sessions and was related to the number of sustainability actions participants thought were achievable. Conclusions: The data suggest that such a brief training workshop can both yield personal change and potentially provide opportunities for a peer network to facilitate change within communities.