Volunteers Week runs from Thurs 1st to Weds 7th June.  To support and celebrate organisations who work with volunteers we will be sharing an article for each day of the event.

Ten good reasons to volunteer

Why should you volunteer? We know we are preaching to the choir here, but here are ten good reasons to become a volunteer:

1. It’s good for your health and wellbeing.  This post from Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publications explains the links to volunteering and reduced depression and loneliness, but also discusses how older volunteers are less likely to have high blood pressure.
2. It saves resources. Those that have time they can give freely help organisations focus their financial resources on other things.
3. Explore a different career path.  Fancy a change in career, but are not sure if you want to take the risk?  Volunteering can be a great way to try something you are passionate about before committing to a career change.  Have a look www.do-it.org.uk to see the range of activities you can try, or contact Voluntary Norfolk to talk about what is happening in your area. 
4. Use your special skills – everyone has something they do well, but not everyone has a chance to use their skill at work, volunteering can be a great opportunity to use your talents for a good cause.
5. Improve your self-esteem and confidence.  This Healthy Place blog helps to show how volunteering can boost your self-esteem.  
6. Helps local communities.  There are many different ways to volunteer in your community.  ACRE’s National Village Halls Survey showed that a whopping 90% of rural community buildings are run by volunteer, and those community buildings are home to all manner of local activities from preschools and luncheon clubs to Zumba and Appalachian clog dancing.  
7. Not only can you learn new skills and gain an understanding of what is happening in your community, but you can also find out about your own talents.
8. Give something back by volunteering with an organisation that has helped you.
9. Meet new people – most volunteering opportunities will introduce you to lots of new people from different walks of life, who all volunteer for unique reasons.
10. Make a positive difference to someone’s life.  Having the satisfaction of knowing you have helped somebody else really is second to none.  This NHS article talks about the benefits of volunteering to the volunteer, but also to the people they help.  

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