Why should I give up my own personal time?
Volunteering Benefits You as Well!
When you volunteer you are giving something back to your community by lending a helping hand to people and organizations.
We all know that.
But did you know that volunteering is also good for YOU?
Volunteering benefits you as an individual. A UK study from the University of Wales in 2008 showed conclusively that volunteering can
- increase your longevity,
- improve your mental health,
- keep you fitter,
- and enable you to cope better with illness when it occurs.
Volunteering also has a positive impact on self-esteem, disease management and adoption of healthy behaviours.
What’s not to love?
Apart from those benefits, volunteering also helps your career and your social life. From a career point of view, you could:
- Explore career and personal interests
- Earn great recommendations for future employment or college applications
- Develop marketable job skills, thus improving employment prospects
- Build or enhance your resume / CV
- Enrich your education
- Uncover hidden skills and talents
- Gain an accreditation
- Gain new skills, knowledge and experience
- Develop existing skills and knowledge
- Use your professional skills and knowledge to benefit others (usually described as pro bono)
For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:
- Meeting new people
- Making new friends
- A chance to socialise
- Getting to know the local community
- Increasing your self-confidence
On top of this, many people volunteer for a variety of other reasons, such as:
- Giving something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person’s life, either directly or indirectly
- A desire to make a difference to the lives of others
- Good karma
- Helping the environment
- Helping others less fortunate or without a voice
- Feeling part of a team
- Feeling valued
- Having quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
- Building up trust
- Gaining confidence and self-esteem
- Finding a volunteering role that suits your own needs and lifestyle
Best of all, volunteering can be fun!
And of course, volunteering is open to all.
With the wide variety of volunteering opportunities that are available today, there is bound to be something for everyone. For example, what about volunteering in Conservation?
Related: Volunteer and Have Fun!
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I gave 30 years to Queensland ‘s State Emergency Service , which was very rewarding . Main jobs were searching for people lost in the bush , putting tarpaulins on a roof which may have lost some roofing material due to storms , flood rescue work etc . It was a very rewarding time . I built our local Community Radio Station , where I have been the Saturday Breakfast announcer for about 12 years . Volunteering your services is a self satisfying experience .
That’s a wonderful history of voluntary work John! Wow! Knowing you’ve saved people’s lives must be a very special feeling!
To volunteer is fun and absolutely rewarding. For me it was teaching kids the game of football. It became a fun activity for the parents and kids alike. I’ve met some of my best friends there.
I agree, Clare. Timely post!
I immediately volunteered after I got laid off and began writing weekly letters of support to folks who need an emotional helping hand. With the organization I work for, the recipients are not required to write me back, although they can if they want. Strangely, I feel as if I have gotten so much in return in the form of friendships, good karma, laughs, and even support back.
I’m going into my third year and haven’t even considered stopping yet.
Mil
Hi Green Goddess,
Volunteering is a great way to meet other people and for singles to meet more people and it’s a fun way to flirt and become acquainted with others!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
What a great post for showing all the benefits of volunteering your time to something and how it can help you and those around you!
Thanks!