Abstract
The overview study presents insights into pro-social behaviour, its components, types and explanatory theories. In describing individual types and forms of pro-social behaviour, the volunteering is presenting as a socially valued ethical form of helping other people.
It defines the personality characteristics and volunteers motivation, whose activities are particularly important in finding their sense of life, selfrealisation, and strengthening their self-confidence. The study points out that the volunteering by seniors could make them feel useful for others, and that the acquired sense of utility has an incentive power for managing life entitlements.
It emphasises that volunteering, even at an older age, could develop abilities and new skills. The acquisition of new social experiences, the establishment of new relationships, and new friendships might be subjectively rewarding.
Recalls, that the presented researches pointing out that that assisting behaviour could have a protective function and serve to compensate for disturbed mental balance, or to reduce inner negative feelings, which may manifest because of ageing or difficult living conditions and personal problem. Finally, yet importantly, it highlights research findings identifying the positive relationships among volunteering, well-being, physical and mental health of the seniors.