There’s so many ways to volunteer that there’s a role for everyone. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge – good on you! We could talk about the amazing benefits of giving your time and experience for free all day but we know you want to go research all the possible things you could do, so we’ll keep it brief. Here’s just a few great reasons for volunteering.
Make a difference
Whatever the size of your contribution, you’re having a positive impact on the lives of others.
Find a purpose
People often volunteer for causes they believe in so they tend to carry out their roles with passion. It provides a reason to get up in the morning and they feel a sense of achievement by the end of the day.
Become part of a community
Sharing a common purpose brings people together, leading to new connections and mutual support. Volunteering can be a great way of building your social network, maybe even while building a community for others.
Get experience
Employers often look favourably on potential candidates who have actively sought to utilise or improve their skillset and shared their time for free. It can indicate ambition, passion, and a sense of social responsibility.
It can make you happy
According to a study by the London School of Economics, the more volunteer work people were involved in, the higher they rated their happiness. Maybe that has something to do with how your stress levels are reduced and your mood can be improved.
There are many ways to get started but a good spot to begin your search for an appropriate role is https://www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au, which at the time of writing had over 650 opportunities in SA published on the site. You can also try a simple Google search or keep an eye out for ads on social media or in the real world.