15 BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and the community. For some volunteers it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.
Here are 15 benefits of volunteering.
1. LOWERS STRESS AND ANXIETY
Volunteering is said to be a great way to deal with stress and anxiety that affect so many. Vice says that this is mainly to do with busyness being a great distraction and barrier to negative thoughts and feelings. Volunteering also hold opportunity for plentiful social contact which can put people in a good mood.
2. SUPPORTING THOSE WHO NEED IT
Those who volunteer help the community as a whole. You are working in the areas that need it most for the people who need it most. Time spent supporting not-for-profit organisations and services is often desperately wanted, and this sense of value from your work will be felt not by yourself but those around you in the larger neighbourhood.
3. LEARNING RELEVANT SKILLS
There are a tonne of skills associated with volunteer work that will be beneficial for both work and life opportunities. Seek has stated that volunteers are known to have essential (and industry recognised) skills, like the ability to work well in a group environment, problem solve, lead groups, work under pressure and time management. This is also complimented by more niche talents that some training programs include, like first aid, organisational management, and IT know-how. All this builds to create a comprehensive skill set that is useful for anyone is almost any situation!
4. INCREASES CONFIDENCE
Volunteering in general will give you a sense of self-worth and pride in your everyday life. Doing good work for good people installs pride and will make you feel good about yourself and what you are doing.
Volunteering also often involves taking on extra responsibility and tasks – which will build your confidence in managing multiple projects. You will trust yourself more and develop yours skills in difference and sometimes challenging environments.
5. MAKING NEW FRIENDS
Volunteering is not only something to do with a friend, but a way of making friends, no matter your age.
It is a great way to introduce yourself to new social circles and make new connections. Helpguide.org describes it as a way of actively meeting and introducing yourself to other people. There is a likemindedness in individuals supporting not-for-profit organisations and often you will find similar passions in the volunteers around you. Despite the variety of backgrounds and personalities of volunteers, they are almost guaranteed to be incredibly kind and looking to make friends during the volunteering process.
6. GAIN A PHYSICALLY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
With such a focus on health these days, it’s a surprise that volunteering is not being promoted as an excellent source of wellbeing.
Live Science says that volunteers have been found to live longer and have generally healthier lives. This is because they walk more on average and carry out more physical chores. However, even those who work in less active roles receive this health boost, by developing a higher degree of mental flexibility in their ability to handle multiple complex operations.
7. BRINGS A SENSE OF PURPOSE
This is perfect for those looking to have more meaning in their lives. It is an easy way to do good in your spare time, and make a different to those around you while also adding a sense of direction to your life.
8. GOOD FOR THE RESUME
Volunteering is the perfect way to make your resume stand out for a potential employer at any stage of your career journey. It is a great way of showing that you have a good sense of character, compassion and actively work in a team.
According to ENHANCV, 82% of hiring professionals prefer applicants with volunteer experience. It means that the applicant is driven by social god and that they have more skills than simple, task related ones.
9. GAIN NEW EXPERIENCES
Volunteering allows you to meet people and do things that you would been exposed to be. Volunteering lets you hear fascinating life stories, work with enthusiastic and passionate people and shape people’s lives for good.
These new experiences allow you to witness the lives of others and can be powerful memories that shift your perspectives of life.
10. EMBRACING PASSIONS
Volunteers are able to bring their unique talents and interests to other people’s lives. Organisations, like us at Twilight, have had great success from volunteers indulging in interests like art and gardening and engaging residents in these activities.
11. FOSTERS COMMUNITY GROWTH
It has been found that communities with a strong volunteer network help community growth. Since volunteers literally help the community by filling in the gaps in funding and resources. NSW Volunteering has stated its benefits in promoting overall health in the local area, saying that volunteers “make an extraordinary contribution to Australian society” and are the “lifeblood of our community.”
12. BUILDS SOCIAL SKILLS
Communications skills are a necessity in our modern day. And volunteering is not only good to make friends and also have fun, but can help you later in industry work and everyday life.
Diverse Voices, says that volunteering is the perfect setting to practice ad develop social skills, not matter if you are an extrovert or an introvert.
13. GROWING YOUR REFERENCE NETWORK
A reference from a not-for-profit organisation can speak more about your character than a family member or an old employer.
Volunteering also generates good word about you within the community and with specific businesses while connecting you with industry personalities.
14. CREATES INTERNSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteering can builds skills, as well as placing you in an environment that may lead to career opportunities.
Monster says that volunteering is a perfect stepping stone to employment and will add professional experience to your resume.
15. MAKES YOU HAPPIER
If you have ever volunteered, you may have noticed that you felt fantastic afterward. Maybe you saw a little boost in your mood, or enjoyed being part of a team.
It is the perfect way to escape from the routine of retirement, work, university or school and accomplishment so much than you could alone.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER?
Twilight has revitalised its volunteer program which includes a comprehensive orientation, training and handbook. Each of the homes is fortunate to have several volunteers and we are always happy to welcome new members into our community. If you are interested in volunteering with Twilight Aged Care please contact our Volunteer Coordinator on 02 9414 4400 or email: volunteer@twilightagedca.wpengine.com[/vc_column_text]
"*" indicates required fields
