Did you know that 5th December is celebrated world-wide as the International Volunteer Day?
Each year, millions of people around the world volunteer their time and skills to help make the world a better place. Volunteering not only helps improve the lives of others but also has a profound positive effect on the lives of people who give their time. If you haven’t volunteered yet but think you may wish to give it a go, here are some facts that you may persuade you to take the step:

  • Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health

Becoming a volunteer can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem and life satisfaction.   It reduces isolation and enables you to travel, meet others and feel well.  Volunteering can help increase your self confidence and self-esteem, which will in turn enable you to have a more positive view of your life, future goals and aspirations.

  •  Volunteering boosts motivation and sense of achievement

Volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely without any pressure from others.  Volunteers express a sense of achievement and motivation, which comes from seeing the positive difference their work makes in the lives of others.

  •  Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills

Becoming a volunteer is the ideal way of discovering something you are really good at. It gives you the opportunity to practice, learn and develop important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, planning, organisational and interpersonal skills.

  •  Volunteering is a great way to improve your CV and increase employability

What experience do you want to add to your CV?   Becoming a volunteer is a great opportunity to try out different roles in order to find the one you really enjoy. Not to mention that it’s a great way to get an up to date reference, gain recent work experience or to complement your existing CV.

  •  Volunteering is a great way to discover new interests, hobbies, friends and bring new experiences into your life

Finding new interests, hobbies and friends through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and fulfilling.   Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life.  You can never tell who you will meet and what you will learn form them.  One of the best ways to make new friends is to commit to a shared activity. Volunteering enables you to meet new people who share your interests.  It allows you to learn and develop together, while socialising and having fun at the same time.  

 Touchstone runs a highly successful Community Volunteers Project in Leeds and Kirklees.  Earlier this year, Nafisa Miraf, the manager of the project, has become a finalist in the national Third Sector Excellence Awards competition, as one of the best Volunteer Managers in the UK.   If you are interested in volunteering with Touchstone,  contact Nafisa on 0113 216 2729 or email volunteers@touchstonesupport.org.uk