18 Benefits of volunteering that will change your life!

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community?

Or maybe you’re just looking for some new and interesting ways to spend your free time?

Either way, volunteering can be a great option for you!

There are all sorts of benefits of volunteering, from making new friends to improving your physical and mental health to giving a boost to your personal and professional life.

So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to volunteer, read on for 18 benefits that might convince you!

Benefits of Volunteering in your professional life: how can it be affected?

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Volunteering is often thought of as a selfless act, and while it is true that volunteers typically give their time and energy without expecting anything in return, there are actually a number of benefits that you can receive.

1. Volunteering is a great way to gain valuable experience and boost your career options

By working with different people in a variety of roles, you can get an inside look at different careers and learn new abilities.

You might even meet someone who can give you a job or help you get into your dream school or job. In addition, volunteering can also give you the opportunity to try out a new career before making a commitment to it.

2. Learn new skills and develop the ones you already have!

Most people have at least one skill that they’re good at, but often we don’t get the chance to use our skills in our everyday lives.

Volunteering gives you the opportunity to use and develop your valuable skills in a way that can be beneficial to both you and the organisation or cause you’re volunteering for.

For example, if you’re good at marketing, you could help a local charity to promote their work; if you’re good at cooking, you could help out at a soup kitchen and so on.

But many times you also you get the chance to try other positions in which you need a different skills set. This way, you can learn new skills while also helping out a good cause.

For example you could use volunteering as a way to practice and improve your English if it’s not your first language.

3. Volunteering can help you to boost your resume and stand out from the competition when applying for jobs.

In today’s job market, it’s not enough to just have the right qualifications – you also need to have experience.

And what better way to get experience than by volunteering?

When you volunteer, you can list your roles and responsibilities on your resume, which can help you to land the job you want.

In addition, potential employers are often impressed by applicants who have taken the time to volunteer, as it shows that you’re dedicated and have a strong work ethic.

4. Helps you paint a complete picture of yourself

Your volunteer work is a reflection of who you are as an individual. It also helps your employer or academic institution to know more about your interests, commitment and dedication.

Let your actions speak for you! So, if you are looking for ways to improve your professional life, consider volunteering.

It just might be the best decision you ever make. Now let’s take a look at what volunteering can do for your relationships.

Benefits of Volunteering in your relationships: Connect is the word!

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Volunteering is a great way to meet new and very interesting people.

By working together towards a common goal, you and your fellow volunteers will quickly develop a strong sense of camaraderie.

5. You will be a part of a community.

We are always in contact with other people, there are issues that affect us all, there is knowledge to be shared between groups of people and volunteering makes you aware of that. It gives you a scope of the reality other people are living.

People depend on others for growth and survival.

One of the benefits of volunteering is that it helps you overcome the sense of detachment that reigns in today’s society.

When you volunteer you’ll meet people that will share your values and are committed to making a difference which is most likely aligned to what you believe and want in life.

6. It’s a great way to meet new people and make friends

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Volunteers often are very interesting and good people.

When you participate in a volunteering program, you will have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life who share a common interest with you – helping others.

You may even make some lifelong friends.

7. You’ll be able to strengthen existing relationships

In addition to making new friends, volunteering can also help to strengthen your existing relationships.

If you decide to do volunteer work together, spending time working towards a common goal is a great way to bond with your friends, family or partner. It can also help to reignite the spark in a relationship that has become a bit stagnant.

Volunteering can help you to reconnect with your partner and rediscover all the things that you love about them.

Benefits of volunteering for yourself: Improve the world, improve yourself!

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As we said before, volunteering is often thought of as a selfless act, and while it is true that volunteering can help to improve the lives of others, it can also have a positive impact on the volunteer themselves.

For example, volunteering can help to boost self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as providing a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

And of course, volunteering can also be a great way to reduce stress and has several physical health benefits.

8. You’ll be able to take on a challenge!

Volunteering can help to challenge you in new and different ways.

By taking on a new role within a volunteering organisation, you will be able to push yourself out of your comfort zone and learn new valuable skills.

You may even find that you’re good at something that you never thought you would be!

9. You’ll have the opportunity to learn new things about yourself

Volunteering can also provide you with a unique opportunity to learn more about yourself.

By working closely with others, and being placed in new and challenging situations, you will be able to gain a better understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll also have the chance to learn more about the world around you.

10. Volunteering is an easy way to improving your social skills

If you are shy or introverted, volunteering can be a great way to build your confidence and social skills.

By working with others in a volunteering capacity, you will be forced to communicate and interact on a regular basis, which can help to improve your social skills.

In addition, as you become more involved in the volunteering organisation, you will also have the opportunity to take on more responsibility and leadership roles, which can further boost your confidence.

11. You’ll be able to gain self-confidence

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Are you shy? Many times volunteers have to get out of their comfort zone to spread a message

One of the most common benefits of volunteering is an increase in self-confidence and self esteem.

By taking on new challenges and responsibilities, you will be able to prove to yourself that you are capable of more than you may have thought.

This new-found confidence can then be carried over into other areas of your life, such as your career or personal relationships.

12. It gives you a sense of purpose and makes you feel more fulfilled

When you volunteer, you will feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of others.

This is one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering, and is likely to be one of the main reasons why you continue to volunteer long-term.

13. Volunteering is great for your mental health

Because of your newly acquired sense of fulfilment and purpose, volunteering helps you reduce stress and anxiety, and promote happiness and wellbeing. It can also help to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

14. It’s good for your physical health too

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Sometimes volunteering can get quite physical. Here you can see volunteers helping in the restoration of the water pipeline after a flooding in St. Vincent

Volunteer work has a lot of health benefits. It can help to improve your cardiovascular health, and reduce your risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Volunteering can also help to increase your life expectancy. It might be physically demanding, especially if you’re working with your hands.

Environmental projects, as well as those that aid in the building of homes or shelters, can be quite physically demanding.

But don’t worry – you don’t have to lift heavy objects or do anything that you’re not comfortable with.

There are plenty of volunteering opportunities that won’t require you to break a sweat!

15. Volunteering can be a lot of fun!

It’s a great way to meet new people and make new friends, all while doing something that you’re passionate about. You’ll be able to socialise and have fun while also making a difference in the world.

Benefits of Volunteering in the communities you are working or in the environment

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One of RVA’s many cleanups during the year

Las but obviously the most important set of benefits.

One of the great things about volunteering is that you can see the direct impact of your work on the people or environment that you’re helping.

16. You can be a role model for others

Volunteering can help you to become a role model for others, both in terms of your work within the community and in terms of your personal life.

By setting a good example, you can inspire others to follow in your footsteps and make a positive difference in their own lives.

This also forces you to be the best version of yourself.

17. You can inspire positive social change

Your work as a volunteer can also inspire positive social change.

You’ll be able to raise awareness of important issues, and by demonstrating that change is possible, you can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond your community service.

18. You can make a difference in your community or in the planet

community help after the volcano eruption
Distributing clothes after the La Sufriere volcano explosions

You don’t need to be famous or wealthy to make a difference in your community or in the world. By volunteering you will be able to contribute with nonprofit organizations that are making a difference and every little bit makes a difference.

When we all work together, we can create a big impact.

So next time you’re feeling helpless or hopeless, remember that even the smallest actions can create change.

You have the power to make a difference. Will you use it?

Volunteering is a great way to build skills and knowledge, while also helping out your community.

It’s a win-win situation!

So why not give it a try?

We welcome you to RVA! Together we can make a difference!

If you are ready to do so, at Richmond Vale Academy, we offer two great volunteer opportunities:

A 10-month Community Development Program and A 6-month Climate Activist Program.

These programs offer a great opportunity to volunteer abroad and make a difference in a poor local community and in the planet.

The Community Development Program is a 10-month program that helps you build skills and knowledge in community development, while also helping out a community in need in one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

You’ll learn about project management, community service, fundraising, world issues, event planning, and more.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to put your skills into practice by working on real community projects.

The Climate Activist Program is a 6-month program that helps you build skills and knowledge in climate change, sustainable living, organic agriculture, public speaking, and more.

You’ll have the opportunity to put your skills into practice by working on making Saint Vincent one of the first countries in the world ready for the climate change and global warming.

If you’re interested in either of these programs, go ahead and sign up now!

We’re always looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to join our team.