Let’s have compulsory national service for 65 year olds

[Barleypilaf]

So, if it’s a good idea to press-gang 18 year olds into national service, why don’t we do the same for those getting their pension? Everyone in the first year of pension should spend at least one weekend per month doing volunteering in their community. It would help to build community spirit, help the NHS and improve people’s fitness.

They could each be allocated a number of pot holes to fill. Assuming there are enough pensioners to undertake this task.

Look I get why you are pissed off with the National Service proposals but why are you turning on another generation?

Because that's exactly what this sort of policy is designed to do, and all political parties are at it, albeit in different ways. It's a conscious choice, turn people on each other and you start to think it's some other groups fault that everything is turning to shit, and not the fault of the governing classes.
People like the OP need to stop falling for it.

I am a retired volunteer, our group are getting so elderly that we cannot go for much longer without younger volunteers, just one Saturday a month would help. We provide a sporting opportunity to physically disabled youngsters and those with ASD. Its exhausting and we range in ages from 67 to mid 80s.

Cattery · Today 11:36
Because that generation of people don’t need to be knocked into shape. They grew up respecting the laws of society. Leave them alone and concentrate on young people who have no direction; not that any of it’ll happen”

More ageist bollocks. Speak for your own young people, ours have direction, motivation and determination aplenty.

Why?
They have done their "service".
On the other hand, it will help these snowflakes.
I'm 45, born in a Communist country and much tougher service was required then.
Stop the molly coddling, it's ridiculous.

You might want to read some of the OP's other interesting opinions before defending them.

Have a read what she thinks about the disabled and those on benefits.

GingerPirate · Today 12:34
Why?
They have done their "service".
On the other hand, it will help these snowflakes.
I'm 45, born in a Communist country and much tougher service was required then.
Stop the molly coddling, it's ridiculous.””

ODFOD. It’s not a race to the bottom. If it was so marvellously character building in your communist country why did you, presumably, leave?

How on earth would they possibly enforce such a policy?

Does anyone know? Would they be throwing youngsters in jail for non compliance?

I know quite a few pensioners who do a large amount of childcare, be a bit costly to parents who work who suddenly have to find paid childcare if grandparents no longer available.

^This. (State pension age is 66 btw and goes up to 67 in two or three years.)

They can press gang away on me. I'd rather go to jail than do any voluntary work for the current shambolic government who have decimated this country and would encourage my grandchildren to do the same.
Don't get caught up in this ridiculous culture wars rubbish.

This is the most ridiculous post I've ever seen

Assuming that the volunteering aspect would be part of their school, or just the same as other community service programmes.

It's a great idea, people will hate it because it's the tories though

**
It's a great idea, people will hate it because it's the tories though”

It’s a very stupid, unworkable idea. Professional soldiers do not want “volunteers” shambling about.

Most of the pensioners I know are going on luxurious holidays but no volunteering in the community. They seem to hop from one cruising holiday to another.

Something needs to be done about the teenagers in this country

I'm 66. I've worked hard all my life and I've never voted Tory. Never would. I already look after my grandsons two days a week and I have a very elderly tricky mum in hospital. In addition, I have a number of health issues. Why are you promoting a divisive policy? Sure, there might be a few numpties who think it's a good thing. But almost no-one alive has been through conscription. Stop venting your spleen at me. Focus on the Tories who wouldn't know what a good idea was if it hit them over the head

Yes and so do my sons thanks but lots don’t

As if young people don’t have enough on with exams and working too. Some will also have kids of their own or caring responsibilities and homes to run.

When I was 18 I went to college Monday to Friday, worked babysitting a couple of evenings and worked Saturday/ Sunday in a shop. I was saving for uni. I fit in my school work around that, which I did a lot of because I needed good grades to be able to get into uni and study my chosen subject.

I also went to the gym some evenings to work on a physical injury to allow me to recover and live a normal life.

When would this magical volunteering have happened?? Surely I was contributing enough to society by paying taxes on my earnings and being educated so I could be taxed more (which I am!!)

Why, @Jessie21 ?

Do you have teenagers?

We did, relatively recently. Fantastic adults now. Hard-working, determined, with mapped out goals. Nothing needs to be “done” about them, now or when they were teenagers.

Respectfully, MNetters don't have the type of teenagers who are out and about on the streets stabbing each other and destroying town centres.

Perhaps we should implement national service only for 18 year olds but give them the option of deferring it until they reach pensionable age, which if Rishi gets back to power, is probably the same age that they will legally be able to start vaping.

My 90 year old FIL, who has bone cancer, volunteers once a week in a foodbank, stewards in a local art gallery, and visits folk in Old People’s Homes (all of whom are younger than him).

I’m sure he is by no means the only pensioner who is doing lots of volunteering.

In practical terms, @Barleypilaf, where are all these volunteering jobs going to be - bearing in mind that they will have to be suitable for people like me, with very poor mobility, or other disabilities?

Jessie21

Respectfully, MNetters don't have the type of teenagers who are out and about on the streets stabbing each other and destroying town centres”

So direct it at those, not all 18 year olds.

Incidentally, this MN had a brother who did exactly those things decades ago. Stabbed someone and was sent to borstal. He would have been a bloody liability to the armed services.

I belong to a voluntary community litter pick group and we have kids helping out who do it as part of the Duke Of Edinburgh Award and similar schemes. I would imagine it would be similar. I think it's a good idea for teens to get involved in community projects

You’d have to have exemptions.
For a start, it’s not 65, it’s 67.
And some work beyond 67, so they’re out.
Then you take away all those who are carers to elderly relatives.
Those who volunteer already
Those with a disability too severe to enable them to volunteer.

But yes, let’s find another section of the general populace to have a go at.