Employee volunteering offers you the chance to give back during work hours through your company's volunteering programme, creating a meaningful connection between you, your company, and the local community.
In 2021, research by Neighbourly and YouGov revealed that employees who volunteer are happier in work and more likely to speak highly of their company. But what's in it for you as a volunteer? Here are 5 ways volunteering will benefit you:
You may have found yourself increasingly distanced by remote and hybrid working patterns in the past few years. Volunteering allows you to spend time with your colleagues and meet new people from other teams. Giving back to society also builds connections with members of the local community by recognising their challenges and using your skills and time to help overcome them.
Volunteering has been proven to help you develop leadership, organisation, and other professional skills by encouraging you to take greater initiative in engaging professionally with individuals outside your normal work environment. It provides opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience, whether that’s public speaking, project management, or working with vulnerable people. Volunteering that involves an activity related to your profession is also an established way to reinforce the skills and abilities you’re using in day-to-day work, by considering how they can be utilised for a different setting or audience.
From communication and teamwork to organisation and leadership, volunteering builds your practical skills by putting you into a new environment and requiring a different way of working. Meeting new people from diverse backgrounds expands your perspectives and self-confidence by exposing you to new ways of thinking.
This increases self confidence, reduces bias, strengthens empathy and establishes a new communication channel between you and your community.
“[Volunteering] can also enhance overall life satisfaction by providing meaning and a sense of purpose.”
Studies show that engaging in altruistic activities, such as volunteering, your body releases endorphins that reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, and lowers blood pressure. Supporting a cause that is meaningful to you is linked to higher levels of happiness and lower stress, whilst being part of something with a higher purpose can improve self-esteem.
It can also enhance overall life satisfaction by providing meaning and a sense of purpose.
Volunteering allows you to experience different work environments and gain exposure to new ideas, whilst representing your company in a giving capacity can boost your sense of purpose and engagement.
Volunteering, whether in your own free time or as part of a corporate programme, offers you a wide range of benefits, including personal growth, connections, and meaning.
Taking a step back and seeing your efforts make a difference and have real impact in your local community delivers a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. With this fresh perspective, you may find new insight and innovation to bring into other aspects of your life.
Take this opportunity to give your time to something you care about by joining your company on the Neighbourly platform.