Volunteering Facts

Taken from a Guardian article these facts and figures should go some way to convincing you that volunteering is something that you could and probably should get involved in:

Health Benefits

• nearly half of all volunteers (47%) say volunteering has improved their physical health and fitness;
• 25% of people who volunteer more than five times a year say volunteering has helped them lose weight (20% overall);
• 9% of men and 8% of women said that volunteering has improved their sex life. This compares with 17% of volunteers aged 18 to 24-years-old;
• 63% of 25 to 34-year-olds say volunteering helps them feel less stressed. 62% of over 65's say volunteering reduces stress;

Employability Benefits

• 81% of employers surveyed view employees who do voluntary work positively;
• 43% of employers think that employees who undertake voluntary work and learn new skills have a better chance of promotion and earning a higher salary;
• 68% of employers feel that volunteering can add skills to their workforce.

Volunteering Myths

Volunteering is something that only other people do.

No. Volunteering is about matching the right person to the right role, so whoever you are, whatever your skills, wherever you are going in life; there is something out there for you.

Volunteering is mostly about charity shops.

Not really. There's much more to it than that. In addition to being a charity shop retail assistant, you could find yourself staffing a helpline for people with mental health issues, coaching a sports team, mentoring a person with autism or supporting witnesses in court.

You don't have time to do any volunteer work now, but you will have later.

Wrong. We know you are busy people, but don't wait until some mythical point in the future when you'll be sorted enough to make your mark, do it now!