Why Volunteer

What is Volunteering?

We define volunteering as any activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment, the community or someone (individuals or groups) other than, or in addition to, close relatives.

Central to this definition is the fact that volunteering must be a choice freely made by each individual. This can include formal activity undertaken through public and voluntary organisations as well as informal community participation.

Why volunteer?

There are many reasons that people give for volunteering.

Enhance Employment

For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. For this reason volunteering can be a way of:-

• Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience
• Enhancing your CV
• Developing existing skills and knowledge
• Improving one’s employability
• Gaining an accreditation
• Utilising and sharing professional skill

Social Benefits

For others, volunteering appeals because of its many social benefits. These include:-

• Making new friends
• A chance to socialise
• Getting to know your local community
• Having fun!

Positive Reasons

There are many other positive reasons for people volunteering:-

• Giving something back to an organisation that has impacted on your life
• A desire to make a difference to the lives of others
• To feel valued
• To have a sense of purpose
• To be part of a team
• To gain confidence and self esteem
• To help the environment
• To have quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
• To improve health

With the wide variety of volunteering opportunities available, there is bound to be something for everyone! Here are some inspirational Volunteer Stories