Volunteering and Social Impact = Mental Health Improvement

A report suggests that four in five volunteers believe their volunteering activity has had a positive effect on their health.

Researched published today by Citizens Advice Bureau indicates that volunteering boosts self-esteem, employabilty and health – especially mental health. In order to celebrate Volunteer’s Week we asked readers to tell us about their experiences. Full article: Click Here

Volunteering really is the best medicine in my case.

Volunteer: Linda Brownlie

Organisation: Goodwin Trust Doula and Breastfeeding Peer Support Projects

Role: Doula and breast feeding peer supporter

After being diagnosed with lupus (a systemic auto immune disease) in 2009, it very quickly became apparent that one of the major triggers for a flare up of the disease was stress.

My life revolved around paid work and because I was working long hours and had an inability to switch off, I discovered it was just incompatible with my illness. With this in mind I changed my focus to a voluntary role in a completely different sector. This gave me that outlet – once the working week was over – to switch off and spend time with women in need whose lives couldn’t be more different to mine.

Volunteering on my days off taught me to think about something other than my career. As a result I am happier and don’t allow stress to infiltrate my life as much as I once did.

The worst flare ups of lupus have decreased to maybe once a year whereas they were once almost daily. Now my pain free days outnumber the days I ache and I have had no hospital stays in nearly two years – I volunteer in them instead. My medication has been reduced and my mental health has improved through the feel good factor gained from helping others. Volunteering really is the best medicine in my case.

There is no ulterior motive, obligation, responsibility or contract with volunteering – that in itself brings a sort of peace

Volunteer: Laura McBeth

Organisation: Rape Crisis Tyneside & Northumberland

Role: Marketing and fundraising initatives manager

I volunteer because I feel strongly about the service the organisation provides: free, independent counseling for female survivors of sexual violence, no matter when it occurred or whether or not they’ve decided to tell the police. I identify with the feminist ethos of the charity and having experienced a violent relationship in my late-teens and early-twenties I know what they do is invaluable and sadly necessary.

I originally approached Rape Crisis with a view to volunteering on the helpline, but after a few meetings, marketing seemed like the obvious and best way I could support them because it was not only an area in which the organisation was lacking but is also my profession.

Since I began volunteering I’ve experienced an overall improvement in mind and body. The most significant impact is a sense of having a meaningful purpose and knowing that the work I’m doing is directly contributing to people’s lives in the area where I live. It provides a means in which I can, even in a small way, address a social problem I care about. In mind and spirit it has brought a sense of equilibrium for me, and I feel more balanced in what I take versus what I give from society.

I’m happier generally, because of how I spend my time – it’s something I do just because I care about it, it’s a quiet commitment. There isn’t an ulterior motive, obligation, responsibility or contract – that in itself brings with it a sort of peace.

I didn’t choose the organisation, really it chose me

Volunteer: Saskia Wesnigk-Wood

Organisation: North Portslade Community Allotment Group

Role: The list is endless: treasurer, communications officer, volunteer manager and main contact

I didn’t choose the organisation, really it chose me. I got started there as it was a nursery school’s plot that I discovered when my daughter attended the nursery. They gave it up and a few of us took over. I had tried to grow vegetables in my garden and was happy to get a bigger space. Many of the other members were or became very good friends.

I have been volunteering here since about 2002. As part of my role I run the website and Facebook page as well as getting the funding bids in, organising watering rotas, planting plans, buying the seeds and organising open days.

The obvious health benefits are that I garden outdoors so I get exercise and fresh air – as well as home grown food. I spend time with nice people doing something we all enjoy, which is good for my health as it alleviates loneliness.

I also enjoy going to the plot alone. It is wonderful and being among growing things can be very positive – we all call it the sanctuary. If I am upset, I go there to feel better and it helps me not get too depressed. I sometimes wonder whether I would be taking anti-depressants if I did not volunteer.

Volunteering has helped me to regain confidence in my skills

Volunteer: Heidi De Wolf

Organisation: Lincolnshire Carers and Young Carers Partnership (LCYCP)

Role: Non-executive director (NED)

I applied for this role for many a reason. I was a young carer for my mother, who lived with chronic depression, so I understand the challenges young carers face. Secondly, during my career I have picked up a number of skills and had experiences that I thought would be of value to LCYCP and which, due to a change in career path, would otherwise go unused.

In this role, in close collaboration with other NEDs, I support the governance of the organisation ensuring that LCYCP and its team of advisers can deal with opportunities and challenges that come our way.

Over the last three to four years, my career path and friendships at work have had a fair few ups and downs due to several restructures. This took its toll on my mental well-being and knocked my confidence. Volunteering has helped me regain my confidence in my skills and experiences, and has led me to take control back over my life and career decisions.

The stress I used to feel under academic pressure is less now I’ve started volunteering

Volunteer: Jeni Gibbs

Organisation: Student Action for Refugees (STAR) Society

Role: Student volunteer

Volunteering is important to me because, as a student, I don’t often feel I’m giving enough to my local community. However, through STAR I feel I can make a real impact on people’s lives.

I started volunteering last year while studying English at university. STAR is a student-run society that campaigns for refugee and asylum seeker rights while holding weekly conversation classes where students help teach English skills.

Volunteering has been good for my mental health – by focusing on helping others regularly I’ve gained more perspective and become less inward focusing. The stress and worry I used to feel under academic pressure is much less now I’ve started volunteering.

I would definitely recommend volunteering to anyone who wants to help their community and help themselves, especially students who may feel isolated or stressed by university life – it’s good to spend time not focused on yourself now and again.