Volunteering

What is Volunteering and Why is it Important?

Volunteering is an activity of help and service carried out by individuals or groups freely, without expecting financial compensation. This kind of commitment can take many forms and is fundamental for the well-being of communities and society as a whole. Volunteering is important for several reasons. First, it plays a crucial role in filling gaps left by public services or addressing social and environmental challenges. Moreover, it offers people the opportunity to actively contribute to causes they care about, creating a sense of belonging and personal fulfillment. Volunteering is also a way to build social bonds, foster solidarity, and promote positive change.

How Many Types of Volunteering Are There?

There are numerous types of volunteering, each focusing on a specific aspect of community or individual needs. Examples include social volunteering, which involves assisting people in need or disadvantaged individuals; environmental volunteering, which focuses on environmental conservation; cultural volunteering, which promotes art and culture; and emergency volunteering, which provides relief in crisis situations.

The Values of Volunteering

Volunteering is guided by a set of fundamental values, including solidarity, compassionCompassion is a positive emotion that arises when we not onl... More, empathyEmpathy is a fundamental skill that allows us to connect wit... More, and social responsibility. These values inspire volunteers’ actions and emphasize the importance of helping others without expecting anything in return. Volunteering also promotes diversity and inclusion, encouraging participation from people of all ages, social backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions.

What Goals Do Volunteers Pursue?

People who choose to volunteer pursue several goals. First, they aim to positively contribute to society and make a difference in the lives of others. At the same time, they seek to develop new skills and knowledge, thereby improving their career prospects. Volunteering can also satisfy the need for social connection and personal fulfillment, providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Additionally, volunteers often aim to raise public awareness of important issues and promote positive social and environmental change.

What Are the Benefits of Volunteering?

1. Volunteering Connects You with Others

If you feel lonely, isolated, or simply wish to expand your social circle, volunteering in your local community is an important—and often fun—way to meet new people. In fact, one of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to engage in a shared activity, and volunteering allows you to do that. If you have recently moved to a new city or country, volunteering is a simple and important way to meet new people while strengthening your ties to the local community and expanding your support network. Moreover, it connects you with people who share common interests and passions and who may become new friends.

2. Volunteering Builds Self-Confidence and Self-EsteemThe term self-esteem literally refers to the evaluation of o... More

Doing good for others and the community helps create a natural sense of achievement. Volunteering can also give you a sense of pride and identity, further boosting your self-esteem and pushing you out of your comfort zone. Indeed, volunteering helps you feel better and develop a more positive outlook on your life and future goals. If you are shy or afraid of new experiences, cultures, or travel, volunteering abroad can be an important way to build self-confidence in this area.

3. Volunteering is Important for Physical Health

Many scientific studies suggest that people who dedicate their time to others enjoy lower blood pressure and longer lives. A 1999 study showed that “active volunteers” (helping in two or more organizations) had a 63% lower mortality rate compared to non-volunteers. More recent research in 2013 by Carnegie Mellon University found that adults over 50 who volunteered regularly were less likely to develop hypertension than non-volunteers. It is also worth noting that volunteers themselves seem to perceive these health benefits. A 2013 study by United Health Group and the Optum Institute of over 3,300 U.S. adults found that 76% of U.S. volunteers feel physically healthier.

4. Volunteering is Important for Mental HealthWhat is meant by mental health? According to the World Healt... More

Social contact in helping others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being and help counteract the effects of stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More, depressionDepression is a disorder characterized by persistent sadness... More, and anxietyAnxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings o... More. Volunteering improves mental health simply because performing altruistic acts makes you happier: humans are naturally inclined to give to others, and measuring brain activity and happinessHappiness represents an emotional state characterized by pos... More hormones, researchers found that helping others can bring great pleasure.

A 2008 study by the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and happiness in a large group of American adults. Researchers found that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Compared to those who never volunteered, the chances of being “very happy” increased by 7% among those volunteering monthly and by 12% among those volunteering more frequently.

5. Volunteering Provides a Sense of Purpose

Without financial reward, people often choose to dedicate their time to issues or organizations they find meaningful or have a special connection with. For example, if you are an animal lover, you may volunteer at an animal shelter. Or, if you have experienced or are recovering from an illness, you may devote some of your free time to a charity that helps others in similar situations. Volunteering in this way helps address a social issue that matters to you and, consequently, helps you build a sense of purpose and increase your happiness. Regardless of your age or life story, volunteering can be an important way to give your life new meaning and direction.

6. Volunteering Helps You Forget Your Own Problems

Another benefit of volunteering is that focusing on others can give us a deeper perspective on reality and help divert the mind from negative thoughts. Volunteering often involves helping those in need and can be useful in showing us that, in reality, our lives are not as negative as we might have thought.

Benefits of Volunteering for Young People

Volunteering offers invaluable opportunities for young people. Engaging in volunteering brings significant advantages, far beyond simply accumulating community service hours. This involvement can contribute greatly to personal development, education, and individual growth. Let’s see how:

1. Skill Development

Volunteering gives young people the chance to develop, through direct experience, a wide range of skills such as time management, effective communication, problem solving, teamwork, and leadership. These skills are valuable both for personal growth and future professional careers.

2. Personal Growth and Empathy

Volunteering helps young people develop empathy and compassion. Working with people in difficult situations or addressing complex social issues allows young people to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges others face. This awareness can lead to greater emotional maturity and openness.

3. Meaningful Life Experiences and Self-Esteem

Volunteering provides the opportunity to experience meaningful life events. By actively participating in solving problems in their community or society at large, young people can feel directly involved in creating positive change. This sense of purpose can greatly enhance their self-esteem and self-confidence. Research shows that volunteering can boost self-esteem and confidence in adolescents just starting their life journey. A 2017 study by the University of Missouri and Brigham Young University, involving nearly 700 youth aged 11-14, examined how sharing, helping, and comforting others affected self-confidence. The study found that altruistic behaviors could indeed increase adolescents’ sense of self-esteem, and those who helped strangers reported higher self-esteem one year later.

4. Networking

Volunteering connects young people with a wide network of individuals. These connections can be valuable for their personal and professional future. Meeting individuals from diverse backgrounds and sharing common experiences can enrich their lives and open doors to new opportunities.

5. Educational Improvement

Volunteering can positively impact young people’s education. Volunteer experiences can often be integrated into classroom learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More, enriching the school curriculum. Additionally, active community involvement can inspire young people to pursue higher education or careers related to social service.

6. Building a Strong Resume

Volunteering adds value to a resume. It shows potential future employers that the young person is engaged, responsible, and interested in contributing to the community’s well-being. This experience can make a difference when seeking job or study opportunities.

7. Civic and Social Growth

Engaging in volunteering helps young people become responsible and active citizens and learn the importance of civic participation, community engagement, and promoting the common good. These young people can become future leaders who positively influence society.