Volunteers

Volunteering is spending time willingly to help someone else without being paid. It can be formal or informal. Informal volunteering includes helping friends and family with things like babysitting, home repairs or caring. Formal volunteering usually takes place through a charity or other not-for-profit or community organisation.

Volunteering can be very meaningful and enjoyable, and in turn may be good for your mental health and wellbeing.

Volunteering can:

• give you a sense of achievement and purpose
• help you feel part of a community
• help you feel better about yourself by improving your self-esteem and confidence
• help you share your talents, learn new skills and create a better work-life balance
• help combat stress, loneliness, social isolation and depression
• help you meet new people, which can help you feel more connected and valued

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and build healthy relationships. It strengthens your ties to the community and exposes you to people with similar interests.

Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to practise and develop your social skills.

Because volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others, it can also help you develop a solid support base. As well as helping to protect you against stress and depression, volunteering can help with mental health recovery.

Whatever the motivation our volunteers are an invaluable part of the organisation and their contribution enriches the lives of our residents, clients and participants.