Why do people volunteer?
- For some people volunteering may be something that they have always wanted to do but never knew who to contact or previously they didn’t have the time to commit to volunteering.
- Others find it’s the chance to apply existing skills, to learn new skills, to make new friends or to gain personal experience for future jobs.
- Many want a change in career and try volunteering in that environment first.
- People who, either through ill health or care commitments, can’t seek full time employment find volunteering an excellent way to stay within the world of work.
- For people who have retired, volunteering gives them the opportunity to give something back to the local community.
Whatever the reasons, volunteering gives many benefits either to an individual or community group or to the volunteer.