Volunteering isn’t like it used to be. Now we’re seeing volunteers, especially amongst the senior population, who want more of a challenge. When today’s volunteer decides to donate their time they want to use the skills they developed in their particular field of expertise over their lifetime. They want to give something that amounts to more than just ‘stuffing envelopes’ to the causes in which they believe. They want to assume leadership roles – and more.
Even though there’s no financial reward involved, many older adults are turning to volunteer work for its many added benefits. Now retired, altruistic seniors are looking for ways to get satisfaction from their lives in ways different from when they held down a job.
A Skilled Volunteer Work Force
Highly skilled volunteer roles might include any number of vocations – from helping fellow seniors approaching retirement to navigate the ins and outs of planning for this new stage in life, to everyday volunteer work. The choices are many, for instance volunteering at healthcare facilities, senior’s residences, youth centres, libraries, charitable organizations, sports events, museums and art galleries, schools, social events, global issues – the list is considerable.
Deciding Where, How & Why to Volunteer
Once you decide to become a volunteer, you’ll have to ask yourself some key questions in order to figure out where you’ll fit in. Questions such as: What are you passionate about? What are you interested in? Is there a cause or service that you feel especially drawn to?
Here’s some good advice and thoughts to ponder, along with some of the many benefits of becoming a volunteer.
1. Altruism
Whether you’re taking care of malnourished infants, fostering an abandoned or abused pet, building a home for a family in need, mentoring a teen, whatever it is, you are making a tangible change in a life. But the impact goes beyond the obvious fact that you are helping others. You’re also providing hope.
2. Learn Something New
No matter what volunteer experience you decide on, there will be countless opportunities to learn new practical, social and communication skills that will help you thrive as a human being and in turn benefit others at the same time.
3. Raise Your Awareness
While a financial donation to an organization will help with existing needs, volunteering helps keep the organization and the cause afloat for the future. The reason being that when you volunteer, you help raise awareness for your specific cause without realizing it simply because you’ll most likely engage in conversations with friends and family about your experience
4. Improvement in Your Physical & Mental Health
From a mental health standpoint, there are many studies as well as a lot of anecdotal evidence which shows that when we help others we experience happiness. There’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained in the knowledge that you have given of yourself and nobody forced you to do so. Studies also show that those who volunteer tend to have lower mortality and depression rates, as well as greater functional ability. Research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health shows that “people who volunteered spent 38 percent fewer nights in the hospital than non-volunteers”, with other studies noting that volunteers had better health, more stamina and lower stress levels.
5. Make New Friends
When you become a volunteer, you are more than likely to make some new and lasting friendships. Simply put, volunteering provides an opportunity to get to know like-minded people. When a group of people have a cause that they all care deeply about, it’s more than likely they and you will have other things in common as well.
6. Personal Growth
Perhaps the biggest benefit you’ll gain as a volunteer is the opportunity to break out of your daily routine and broaden your scope of experiences. Often volunteering takes a person out of their comfort zone. Whether you volunteer locally in your neighbourhood or travel to the other side of the world, volunteering almost always comes with challenges which will push your limits.
7. Happiness
Researchers at the London School of Economics found that “helping others kindles happiness”. They found that the more people volunteered, the happier they were.
So, the final question is: “What are you waiting for?” Find an organization that pulls your heart strings or something you’re passionate about and sign up. You’re guaranteed to discover just how much it will benefit not only others but you as well.