As we enter 2024, you might have many New Year’s Resolutions, from being healthier, to learning a new hobby or starting something entirely new. So, in light of this we believe starting to volunteer is an amazing New year’s resolution to take up.  Therefore, in this blog, we will share some of reasons why choosing to volunteer is your ideal 2024 New year’s resolution. 

• Volunteering is good for you!

From your physical health to your mental health and wellbeing, we cannot think of many things that are as good for you as volunteering. It is well known that keeping active, mentally as well as physically, has a powerful influence over our health and wellbeing and statistics from NCVO stated that: 

• 77% of people felt that their mental health and wellbeing had improved as a result of volunteering 
• 74% of people felt volunteering gave them more confidence 
• 53% of people felt that their physical health had improved as a result of volunteering 

Therefore, instead of signing up for the gym or attending chilly park runs in the Winter, consider volunteering, and give your physical and mental health a boost this year! 

• Volunteering is good for your community!

Our local charities and community groups are on the front line, responding to every crisis and challenge that our community faces. From the Covid19 pandemic to the ongoing Cost of Living crisis, it is our charities and community groups that are ensuring: 

• Foodbanks can support families in need of emergency food parcels 
• Ensuring isolated individuals can get to hospital appointments or social clubs 

• Supporting individuals with advice and guidance, whether that is about money, debt, employment, or support in and around their family. 

Without volunteers, our communities would not be able to respond to these crises and in 2024 these challenges will continue. Therefore, if you can, consider volunteering as your opportunity to give back to the community so we can continue to support those in need. 

• Volunteering is good for your future!

Whether you are looking to get your first job, restart your career or just learn a new skill, volunteering is a great way to develop the skills you need to make the best out of your future. The training and hands-on experience you gain while volunteering can help you learn new skills as well as build upon ones you already have.

For example, if you advocate and raise awareness or funding for a cause that interests you, you’ll gain valuable communication, public speaking, marketing and other hard and soft skills. You can then put these skills on your CV to show employers how you build relationships outside of work in addition to any personal interests that can set you apart from other candidates.

I’m keen to get involved, how can I find volunteering roles?

If you are already passionate about a specific charity or a cause, we would recommend finding charities in your local area who work in this area? Most charities are always looking for new volunteers or would be grateful to have your details if they don’t need volunteers in their immediate future.

If you don’t know of any local organisations looking for volunteers or you are looking to use your specific skill set to support any charity, we recommend you use online platforms such as Golden Volunteer or Go Vol Herts. Both platforms are designed to allow you to find volunteers roles whether they be in Watford, Three Rivers or across the wider county and we are working with local organisations to add volunteering roles onto the platforms when they have vacancies.