We have recently been going through some challenging times. It has become clear to me that the only way we are going to get through this is by relying on some very clever experts, key workers and motivated volunteers.
The people who have given up their time and focused their efforts on helping others has been vital. They have been the framework for supporting so many in every way possible.
Our work with Ad-Lib Training often involves training volunteers as part of a funded project. I also work with a team of Walk Leader volunteers on a daily basis.
I have become interested in what makes people volunteer to give up so much of their time to support others. Through research and talking to my volunteer team it has become clear to me that volunteering is good for the giver as well as the recipient, and can benefit communities.
Giving:
· makes us feel happy
· is good for health and wellbeing
· promotes cooperation
· is contagious
Other mental benefits include:
· it helps reduce anxiety and stress
· it can help reduce depression
· it can increase self confidence
· it can give us a sense of purpose
· it connects us to others and gives us social interaction
· it can help with our social skills
My team shared the following insights as to what they get out of giving:
“A greater sense of well-being and satisfaction. Giving is always more rewarding than receiving.”
“It gives me a purpose, makes me feel needed, allows me to see life from someone else’s viewpoint, improves my own skills!”
“My experience with voluntary work was that, by mixing with new people, it made me think out of the box re my own life and helped me make some important decisions. As selfish as it sounds, by doing voluntary work, you get more out than you put in.”
This pandemic has ruined many lives and let’s hope the experts are getting closer to making the world safer for all of us. In the meantime, we must not underestimate the importance of giving to support other and ourselves.
Simply giving your time to listen to someone or giving to charity can reap the same mental rewards.
There are many organisations who offer volunteering opportunities. Search volunteering and you will find several sites. Here are two to get you started.
