Volunteers’ motivations are as diverse as those who choose to give back.
For some, it provides an opportunity to:
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– give something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person’s life, either
directly or indirectly
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– make a difference to the lives of others
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-help the environment
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– help others less fortunate or without a voice
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– feel valued and part of a team
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– spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
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– gain confidence and self-esteem.
For some, volunteering can be a route to employment or a chance to try something new, which may lead to a career change as volunteering can be a way of:
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– gaining new skills, knowledge and experience
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– developing existing skills and knowledge
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– enhancing a CV
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– improving one’s employment prospects
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– gaining an accreditation
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– using one’s professional skills and expertise to benefit others (can be known as pro bono).
For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:
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– meeting new people and making new friends
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– a chance to socialise
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– getting to know the local community.
Regardless of the motivation to volunteer, what unites all of the reasons is volunteers find volunteering both challenging and rewarding.
