What does a Readers’ Panel volunteer do?

As a member of the Readers’ Panel, you would help us by reviewing our resources, including our guides, webpages and other publications. This is to make sure our information is relevant, accessible and useful for older people.

Who can join?

Anyone interested can join. We welcome all viewpoints and experiences. That includes those whose preferred language may not be English, people with learning difficulties, and people from every community and background.

You don’t need to be an expert or have any qualifications to take part. We’re interested in hearing different views based on your personal experience of a subject – for example, any experience you might have had with scams or being bereaved – because that is most helpful to us.

How to become a member of the Readers’ Panel

Complete the sign-up form and we’ll be in touch.

If you’d like more information before signing up, please email Readers@IndependentAge.org or call 020 7050 6560 with any questions.

What will I help with?

We produce a wide range of information resources that you may review, including:

  • advice guides – printed booklets that provide an overview of a topic
  • factsheets – more detailed information about a specific subject 
  • webpages 
  • checklists 
  • videos and online tools.

How does reviewing work?

Reviewing is not just about reading – for example, we may ask you to comment on layout and design. Or we may want your help with something small but important, like a title. We may sometimes ask if you’d like to join a group call – online or by phone – or a focus group.

When we produce a new resource or make changes to an existing one, we’ll get in touch and ask if you want to help.

We usually send a draft of the resource – by email or post – and ask you to complete a short survey about it. We allow two weeks for this but if you need more time, just let us know. We won’t send a survey more than once a week.

Good to know

You don’t have to respond to every reviewing request. If we send something that’s not for you, that’s fine. And if you just want to comment on one aspect of a resource – maybe a chapter that’s particularly relevant to you – that’s also okay.

Unless you choose to share your contact details with us in your survey response, our surveys are anonymous. This means that although we read all your comments, we can’t usually respond to them directly. We do try to let you know what we’ve changed because of your suggestions, but if you'd like to send or receive more detailed feedback, please get in touch.

  • I joined because I do get frustrated with unclear instructions in manuals and leaflets

    Readers' Panel member

  • As a panel member, I have a voice that's listened to and respected

    Readers' Panel member

  • I enjoy reviewing and contributing and am reassured to know that I don't have to feel obliged to take part in every review

    Readers' Panel member

  • I joined hoping I could be of assistance to others. I have had a really difficult couple of years and I think my experience will help others

    Readers' Panel member

  • I joined because I do get frustrated with unclear instructions in manuals and leaflets

    Readers' Panel member

If you’re already on the Readers’ Panel

If you’re already a member of the Panel, thank you for your help! Please call or email us if you’d like us to send you another copy of our Guide to reviewing.

Contact us

Email Readers@IndependentAge.org or call us on 020 7050 6560 if you have any questions or need support.

Other volunteering roles

Share our advice guides and help spread the word about Independent Age in your local area.

If you’re aged 65 or over, share your story to help us raise awareness of financial hardship in later life in the media.

Other ways to get involved

Help us speak to decision makers about the issues that matter to older people.