Background and research question <p>Volunteering with senior citizens can be fulfilling but also stressful. In order to keep volunteers motivated and healthy for as long as possible, volunteering must have a&#xa0;favourable stress-reward profile and match the volunteers’ motivation. The motives, stresses and rewarding aspects of volunteering with a&#xa0;visiting service for senior citizens are examined in detail.</p> Methods <p>Volunteers in the ‘Time for Neighbours’ visiting service run by the Fürth Volunteer Centre were interviewed using semi-structured interviews (<i>n</i> = 19). The interview data were transcribed and evaluated using qualitative content analysis.</p> Results <p>For the volunteers surveyed, the social and personal benefits are paramount. They experience joy, gratitude and appreciation from the senior citizens; make new social contacts; and see their work as meaningful. Stressors arise primarily in psychological and social aspects (e.g. feelings of ingratitude and exploitation, dealing with dementia, communication problems). These stressors can be effectively managed through dialogue and setting boundaries. The motives for taking up voluntary work were primarily intrinsic (personal motives, altruistic attitude).</p> Conclusion <p>Voluntary work with senior citizens was perceived as personally rewarding and a&#xa0;means of preventing loneliness. Relevant resources for dealing with psychological and social stress were social support, opportunities for exchange and clear framework conditions.</p>