Voluntary work is not uncommon in our society these days. In fact, the desire to help the needy and sick has been traced all the way back to mediaeval Britain, where it first emerged. The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), which was established in London in 1844, is one example of an organization that encourages volunteering, which is gaining popularity in the 19th century.
During the 20th century, there was a rise in the number of non-profit organisations with the goal of making society a better place. One organisation that exemplifies this principle is the Rotary Club, which welcomes members from all walks of life and all kinds of cultural backgrounds and then encourages them to collaborate for the greater good.
Now, with the help of technology and the internet, it is easy to search and apply for voluntary work that is available in your neighbourhood or in your community. There are websites, and even mobile apps for you to check out and seach for a voluntary work to gain experience, or to fill up your spare time by giving back to the community.
There are so many types of volunteering you can do, like taking care of animals at the animal shelter, providing lighting supplies and other domestic items for charity, or to even educate unprivileged children with basic education! It depends on what you strive to achieve during your volunteering works, and what you are attracted to the most when it comes to bringing an impact and giving back to the society.
What are the types of voluntary work are there?
Anyone can participate in volunteer work in one of its several forms. One of the finest parts about volunteering is the flexibility it provides in terms of how each person may make a difference, taking into account their unique set of experiences, abilities, and passions.
For a more complete picture of the backgrounds and expertise that volunteers offer, let’s examine a few of the most common sorts of volunteers.
Corporate
Corporate volunteering includes workers helping nonprofits and charities. Businesses encourage employee participation by giving paid time off or awards. Volunteer grants are a sort of corporate philanthropy in which companies donate to nonprofits after their workers volunteer there.
School-Based
Care for students is aided by volunteer efforts in schools. Commonplace in today’s educational system are parent-teacher associations (PTAs), whose members work to implement programmes that benefit students. Volunteers are needed to assist with after-school activities and educational field excursions.
Student
In order to pass classes or join organisations, many students must complete volunteer work. In addition, many students in secondary education and higher education take part in service-learning programmes, which merge academic study with community involvement. These experiences provide students with marketable skills while allowing them to give back to the community in meaningful ways.
Virtual
Volunteerism in its digital form is becoming increasingly common as more and more organisations embrace the benefits of utilising the internet to recruit and coordinate volunteers. Volunteering online is more practical during a pandemic since it allows people to help out without leaving their homes, and it also reduces the risk of spreading disease. Volunteering online is open to everyone with access to the internet.
Event
Volunteers are frequently needed for large-scale events such as concerts, festivals, conferences, and fund-raising concerts for charitable organisations. It’s probable that a bigger number of willing participants is going to be needed for this activity.
Emergency Relief
After a catastrophic incident, such as an earthquake or hurricane, emergency or disaster relief volunteers are called into action. During times of crisis, these individuals provide medical care, assist with cleanup efforts, and distribute necessities like food and water to those in need.
Community
A volunteer may be anyone who has the desire to help people who are in need and to make a good effect in their community. All that is required is a willingness to offer a hand. Included in this group are those who volunteer their time at various charitable organisations, such as soup kitchens, hospitals, animal shelters, and nature centres.
What are the good I can expect out of volunteering?
Volunteering is beneficial to your social life, career, and personal life, regardless of whether you are the sort of person who thrives on plenty of social interaction or the type of person who prefers as little as possible of it. Some benefits are as follows:
Instills a feeling of meaning in your life
Volunteering and contributing to a cause bigger than yourself might help you discover your life’s calling. If you’re feeling lost and unmotivated because you’re retired, suddenly out of work, or grieving the loss of a loved one, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and re-energize your life.
Facilitates the formation of new social relationships
Volunteering is a terrific way to make new friends and deepen old ones. As a volunteer, you’ll meet individuals from different backgrounds, giving you new insights.
Consider the individuals you’re volunteering with while choosing an organisation or cause. Sharing a shared passion strengthens connections.
Imparts useful knowledge or training
Volunteering can help you grow and acquire new talents. You’ll develop communication, public speaking, marketing, and other hard and soft skills if you advocate for a topic you care about. You may highlight these talents on your resume to demonstrate companies how you develop contacts outside of work and your personal interests.
Offers potential employment opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to build your resume by gaining hands-on experience and making connections with individuals who can serve as mentors or at the very least, friends in the professional world. If you decide to build a profession out of your volunteer work, the contacts you make can only assist you in the future.
Challenges you and forces you to grow
Helping others can help you face and conquer personal problems, such as doing something new with people you don’t know. As a volunteer, you may be asked to come up with creative solutions to a variety of issues, allowing you to hone your analytical and problem-solving abilities.
