Learn about the 8 benefits of volunteering

Volunteering has always been part of our life. Since we’ve moved to this region, we’ve been part of numerous Ramadan charity events. And it’s been great! This week’s Dubai Care initiative to pack school bags left us energised and excited. You should also get on board and enjoy these 8 benefits of volunteering.

1. Build your community

Do you volunteer your time or offer financial support? Either way, you want to give to a cause that is aligned to your values. Based on these premises, you are working on creating a community that fits your principles and ideals.

2. Lead the change

As you supporting what you believe in, you are driving change. You may not always see the immediate results, yet, your volunteering lets you pave the path to the change you want to see.

3. Feel connected

As you are spending more time with like-minded people, it creates a feeling of togetherness. It’s easy to form friendships with other volunteers. After all, you already have one thing in common.

4. Advance your career

You never know with whom you are volunteering. Besides meeting interesting people, you may also meet one who can help you with your career.

5. Learn a new skill

It also shows your commitment and dedicate to a cause, something employers appreciate. When volunteering, you may also learn new skills and become (more) confident dealing with diverse group of people.

6. Improve your health

Studies have proven that volunteering supports longer and healthier lives. Like having the social connections and beating loneliness, volunteers have a purpose – the cause for which they give their time.

7. Enjoy fun time

Volunteering has also been linked to greater life satisfaction. The London School of Economics found out that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. So off you go. Enjoy doing something that’s also fun!

8. Do good

This is probably an obvious benefit, still, people downplay the importance. You volunteer because you want to help others. The Chinese saying discovered the connection between happiness and volunteering.

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.

Volunteering also gives you the “Helpers High”, a feeling of more energy but possibly also feeling calmer and less depressed.

We felt pretty special this week, having packed school bags for children in Senegal and Zanzibar. Like Sherry Anderson said, “volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”

Why don’t you sign up for a volunteering activity in your area or online? Get your family and friends involved. See how these magical feelings explode and share a picture with us!

Until next time,
Agni