It has been well researched and documented that volunteering is good for us.
From improving our health and happiness to promoting a sense of belonging and social connection, boosting our mood, and making friends, the case for volunteering keeps building.
If you are looking to meet like-minded people, make new friends and feel more fulfilled in life, consider volunteering. Finding the right volunteer opportunity could help you stay socially connected and feel happier. There is growing evidence that volunteering can help improve your overall health and wellbeing. Let’s discuss the amazing health benefits that volunteer can offer.
Volunteering helps prevent isolation and loneliness
More and more older people are now living with loneliness in Australia. Volunteering is a great way to combat loneliness. Finding the right volunteer opportunity could give you a sense of belonging and promote strong social connection with your community. Volunteering opens opportunities for people to meet likeminded people and share common interests. Volunteering regularly help reduce loneliness and facilitates social engagement and meaningful relationships with other people.
Gain a sense of self and purpose
Volunteering can give you a sense of accomplishment. Volunteering as little as one hour a week can have positive impact on emotional health. Giving back to others brings you a sense of purpose and makes you feel good. Helping others has proven to trigger the reward pathway in the brain known as the mesolimbic system which releases ‘feel-good’ hormones such as oxytocin and vasopressin.
Promote physical activity
Staying active as we age plays an important role in positive health outcomes. Volunteering helps promote physical activities and help you stay more active whether it’s helping with a social group or at an event.
A sense of belonging
Volunteering is a great way to promote strong social networks. This is because of what’s called “pro-social behaviour”, which means that what we do as volunteers benefits other people.
Research findings suggest this is a beneficial way to connect with your community and build positive relationships through creating social capital, building bonds of trust, co-operation, and respect for diversity.
Volunteering is an adventure. It’s not uncommon to make lifelong friendships when working with likeminded people that share similar interests or passions. Equally important, volunteering enables opportunities to meet people from different walks of life and backgrounds, providing unexpected experiences and opportunity for self- development.
Develop new skills with volunteering
You’re never too old to learn. By volunteering, you can step outside of your comfort zone and learn a new skill. Whether it’s knitting, painting, gardening, woodworking, or public speaking, organisational skills, you can always learn something new from volunteering. Volunteering is a perfect opportunity for you to get involved in something you’re passionate about. Find an organisation that best resonates with your values and a community group that you love supporting and get involved. The greatest gift is to give back to the community.
Are you looking for volunteering opportunity? ACH Group’s Volunteer Program has a broad range of volunteering opportunities within our community, residential, social and health services as well as special events.
Roles available include tutors in art, crafts and social media, social support assistants, drivers, social program assistants and more. Volunteer roles are based at a broad range of metropolitan locations as well as in the outdoors.
If you’re interested in volunteering with ACH Group, call us on 1300 22 44 77 or visit achgroup.org.au/work-with-us/volunteers to find out more.
