Why Volunteer

Ask any volunteer why they do what they do and one of the first answers they will no doubt give is a desire to help others, to dedicate some of their time and use their skills to give something back to the local or wider community. Volunteers are a welcome addition to any organization, bringing with them additional skills, fresh perspectives and an often desperately needed extra pair of hands. However, volunteering is work - often hard work - and as in any work situation, a volunteer is most effective when they too benefit from what they are doing. Fortunately, volunteering is an enriching and rewarding experience that brings with it a whole host of benefits:

Professional

Volunteering offers the perfect opportunity to develop skills and build experience for future job applications. It not only widens your options within the job market, but also gives you the chance to test drive areas of work and find which most suit you. Additionally, simply spending time as a volunteer significantly increases your employability; a survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses:

* 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without

* 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills

* 58% say that voluntary work experience can actually be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment

For those who are already employed full time, volunteering can help inform a new career direction, while for those who have yet to embark upon a career, volunteering can play a vital role in helping prepare for the world of work.

Personal

Working as a volunteer allows you to discover more about yourself. You will face new challenges, meet new people and come across new perspectives and ways of doing things that may encourage you to rethink your own world view. As you develop your strengths and perhaps discover new talents and skills, your self-confidence and ability to work and live independently will increase, and volunteers often come out of their experience with a better idea of who they are and where they want to go in life.

Positive Action

Volunteering is a way to put your beliefs into action. If there’s a social, political or environmental issue you feel strongly about, there is almost certainly an organization or group with whom you could volunteer and start to make a difference in that area. Through your work you will not only be able to effect positive change but also strengthen your understanding of your field of interest.

Fun!

Volunteering is great fun! It’s an opportunity to work in an area that interests you, surrounded by like-minded people, happy in the knowledge that you are making a difference. What are you waiting for?