Whilst volunteering looks good on your CV and can advance your career, the other benefits of Charity Volunteering can far outweigh even this, it can help you make friends, learn new skills, is good for your own mental health and others, and can even make you feel happier and healthier.
Making a positive contribution to society while gaining the skills needed to pursue certain careers is a sure-fire way to impress potential employers. Volunteering demonstrates your commitment to a sector, your proactive nature and your ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.
Charities and non-profit organisations are in constant need of volunteers.
Here at EL Recruitment, we’re proud to support Age UK as Digital Buddy’s and support the Local Food and Clothes Bank.
Volunteering is possible in most roles, but not all – some organisations may require experience and knowledge, while others may be unable to offer opportunities due to the sensitive or confidential nature of their work. Conduct thorough research before applying.
The benefits to employers by allowing their staff the time to volunteer can be significant, as giving to others can also help protect your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, meaning that employees have the opportunity to refocus on work and their own jobs, combat depression which in turn means less time off sick from work, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose.
While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness. The amount of time you dedicate to voluntary work depends on your study, work or family commitments. Whether it’s a couple of hours a week, a few days a month, entire weeks at a time, there’s no limit – but be realistic and ensure that it doesn’t interfere with other areas of your life.
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career.
One of the more well-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Volunteering increases self-confidence. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a position that you would enjoy and are capable of doing. It’s also important to make sure that your commitment matches the organization’s needs. Ask yourself the following:
You can find volunteering opportunities on the:
- Do-it website
- Volunteering Matters website for young, older and disabled volunteers
- National Association for Voluntary and Community Action website
- local Volunteer Centre website
- Reach Volunteering website for volunteers with specific skills – like accountancy, marketing, law, management, mentoring or IT
- Volunteering Wales website
- Volunteer Scotland website