Volunteering isn’t just about lending a hand… while the act of giving back to the community has long been celebrated for its social benefits, volunteer work can also do wonders for your own wellbeing.
According to the Royal Voluntary Service, more than 80% of their volunteers agreed that volunteering work had improved their mental health and sense of wellbeing. Almost 50% agreed it had helped to improve their physical wellbeing too.
The mental wellbeing benefits of volunteer work
Reduces stress and boosts mood – Volunteering can give you a space to escape the stress and anxieties of your everyday life. Research has shown that selfless acts that benefit others can trigger the reward centre in the brain, which helps to release our “feel-good” chemicals. This in turn has been found to “decrease stress levels, depression, anxiety and boost your overall health and satisfaction with life.”
Builds relationships and reduces loneliness – Volunteering is a great way to meet new people outside of your network and grow your social connections. A national survey on the volunteer experience published in 2019 found that many experienced social benefits; almost nine in 10 met new people, and young people (aged 18-34) highlighted it had helped them to feel less isolated.
Meeting new people from other backgrounds and cultures can also help to grow your understanding of people’s experiences outside of your own, helping you to challenge any assumptions or beliefs.
Increases your sense of purpose – Volunteering can also help you to develop a more purpose-driven life, offering us a sense of meaning and belonging. Interacting with like-minded individuals can help to cultivate a sense of wider community and camaraderie, which in turn can strengthen your sense of self-worth, belonging and identity.
Supports personal growth and achievement – It can offer a unique opportunity for personal growth and development through learning new skills and working in an area that is of interest to you. This provides an opportunity for you to step outside of your comfort zone, helping to build resilience and adaptability which can support you to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and confidence.
It’s enjoyable! – On top of the above, volunteers also highlight the enjoyment they get out of giving up time to help others and make a positive difference in their community, and the world! This can give you a great sense of fulfilment that helps to boost your mental wellbeing.
Ways to get involved
Volunteering offers a wide range of opportunities for us to make a meaningful impact on our communities while also enriching our own lives. Whether you’re passionate about the environment, education, social justice or animal welfare, there are countless ways to get involved and contribute your time and skills.
A popular avenue for volunteering is through charity organisations. These range from large, well-known charities like Oxfam and the British Red Cross to smaller, local charities focusing on specific issues such as homelessness, mental health or supporting vulnerable populations. Charities often need volunteers who can assist with fundraising events, administrative tasks or directly support service delivery.
If you have a passion for environmental conservation, why not consider activities like tree planting, beach clean-ups or wildlife conservation projects. Organisations such as the National Trust and the RSPB offer volunteering programs that allow individuals to play a hands-on role in protecting and preserving the natural world.
Volunteering in schools or youth organisations is another rewarding way to give back to the community. Whether it’s mentoring students, leading extracurricular activities or providing tutoring support, volunteers can make a significant difference in the lives of young people and help them reach their full potential.
Finally, volunteering doesn’t always have to take place through formal organisations – community initiatives such as local food banks, soup kitchens or neighbourhood clean-up projects often rely on the support of volunteers to operate effectively.
Volunteering is often overlooked as a way of improving our mental health, but by forming social connections, learning valuable skills and making a positive difference in society, volunteer work offers us a diverse range of opportunities to boost our wellbeing while making a positive difference.
Further support
Find more information about volunteering opportunities and how to get involved.
Royal Voluntary Service
Volunteering Matters
Volunteering Matters Scotland
NHS Volunteering
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (links to local opportunities)
Volunteer opportunities, rights and expenses
Sources:
http://www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-insights/news-index/time-well-spent-national-survey-volunteer-experience/volunteer-impacts
https://www.heymind.org.uk/the-mental-health-benefits-of-volunteering-by-annie-button
Ref: WPW0287 This information was published April 2024.
