Volunteering is such a valuable thing to do. If you want to improve your life and the lives of other people, then volunteering is probably for you.

I’ve really enjoyed the volunteering I’ve done on my gap year so far and would definitely like to do more.
I currently volunteer for Beavers in Leckhampton and it’s so rewarding; it feels great to know I’ve helped them out. It also makes me feel really positive because all the beavers find everything so fun and exciting; their sense of fun rubs off on me.

A collection I did for Marie Curie was also extremely worthwhile. I had to stand outside in the cold for two hours, but it was so worth the freezing hands. I was collecting money for a great cause, and it felt good to give something back. So many people approached me and told me about their positive experiences with Marie Curie, which made me feel proud to be wearing my yellow tabard!

Something for everyone

There are so many different types of volunteering you can get involved in, so there really is something for everyone. Other ideas include volunteering outdoors with environ-mental projects, working with animals – animal shelters are a good place to start – and with elderly people. It doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time; you can pick and choose when you’d like to do a collection for example, and they only take a couple of hours out of your day.

Many people worry about the commitment volunteering entails, but charitable and community organi-sations are simply happy for the support. Whether you can spare only an hour a month, or a whole day a week, the fact that you’re doing anything at all will be noticed and appreciated.

Through helping with organisations in your community or elsewhere, you can make a huge positive impact as well as reaping many personal rewards. Volun-teering for a charity that helps people who are in a difficult situation may give you a different perspective on your own life. Seeing other people’s harsh realities will help you appreciate your own more readily. Volun-teering also gives you a great sense of purpose. It allows you to focus on helping others, which in turn will help you to forget your own worries for a while.

Learn new skills and gain new experiences

Doing something good is a massive confidence boost and contributes to helping you become a more well-rounded person. A survey by TimeBank found that 73% of employers, at the time of the study, would hire a candidate who has been a volunteer over one who hasn’t. You can learn new skills and gain new experiences, which will often force you out of your comfort zone. This can really add to your quality of life. Volunteering also proves that you can commit to something you’re passionate about.

Through volunteering you’ll come into contact with a huge variety of people with very different backgrounds and personalities. This will help improve your interpersonal skills, and you may make some new friends. Helping other people won’t fail to make you feel good. Your self-esteem and confidence will improve, and you will become more satisfied with your life, knowing that you’ve done something that will make a positive difference.

Volunteering truly can change your life for the better and is great for your health and happiness. So, what are you waiting for? Start volunteering now!