Volunteering can change your life!

Volunteering can sometimes be viewed as an entirely selfless act, with the assumption that you are sacrificing your time and resources to help others without any benefit to yourself. This, however, is far from the truth. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need and the greater community, but the benefits can be even more substantial for the volunteer. Helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated and provide a sense of purpose in your life. The more you volunteer, the more benefits you will experience. Volunteering doesn't have to be a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even the most simplest ways can help others those in need and improve your health and happiness.

• Gain a sense of purpose
• Meet new people, make new friends
• Make a difference to the lives of others
• Feel valued and part of a team
• Spend quality time outside of your work or a busy lifestyle
• Explore career paths
• Healthy for your mind and body
• Learn new skills and develop the ones you already have
• Gain a whole new perspective
• Give back to a cause you believe in
• Get inspired
• Gain confidence and self-esteem
• Bring fun and fulfillment to your life

Before getting started with a volunteer opportunity, it's important to ask yourself what you would like to learn or accomplish from the experience. If you jump into an opportunity that doesn't resonate with what you are already passionate about on some level or doesn't align with your current skills or interests, you could walk away with a negative volunteer experience, which would be a shame!