Volunteer Your Help
Weekly Wellness Challenge
“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.”
Why?
Volunteering isn’t just about helping others—it’s also incredibly beneficial for your own mental well-being. Here’s why:
1. Boosts Mood and Happiness
Helping others triggers the release of endorphins, sometimes called the “helper’s high.” Acts of kindness stimulate dopamine and oxytocin, the same feel-good chemicals associated with love and connection.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Acts of generosity shift focus away from personal worries, lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and promoting a sense of calm.
3. Fights Depression
The pure act of being helpful can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which is especially beneficial for those struggling with depression. It fosters connection, routine, and engagement—all of which are crucial for mental health.
4. Strengthens Social Connections
Loneliness is a growing mental health concern, but volunteering your help creates opportunities for connection. Whether working with a team or directly helping someone in need, it builds relationships and combats isolation.
5. Increases Self-Esteem and Confidence
Giving your time and effort to help others reinforces a sense of self-worth. Knowing that your actions have a positive impact can boost confidence and personal satisfaction.
6. Provides Perspective and Gratitude
Helping others can put personal struggles into perspective. It encourages gratitude, which is linked to greater life satisfaction and improved mental well-being.
7. Encourages a Sense of Purpose
Helping people can give life deeper meaning, helping individuals find fulfilment beyond personal achievements. This sense of purpose is linked to greater resilience and longevity.
The takeaway? Volunteering your help isn’t just an act of generosity—it’s a proven way to enhance your own mental health. So by giving your time, you’re not just helping someone else—you’re improving your own well-being.
Recommendations
Support a Local Charity – Help at a food bank, animal shelter, or elderly care facility.
Use Your Skills – Offer tutoring, marketing help, or mentorship.
Get Involved in Your Community – Join clean-ups, mentor youth, or assist with local events.
Volunteer Online – Tutor, transcribe documents, or provide emotional support through crisis helplines.
Help a Friend or Neighbor – Run errands, offer childcare, or check in on someone struggling.
Donate What You Can – Give clothes, food, supplies, or even blood.
Advocate for a Cause – Raise awareness, sign petitions, or use social media to support important issues.
Tools & Resources
There are plenty of great organisations out there that make it easy for you to help people. Some of our favourites are:
Be My Eyes – Connects volunteers with blind or visually impaired individuals to assist with everyday tasks via video calls.
Do IT – A volunteer-matching platform connecting people with local opportunities.
Nextdoor – Connects neighbours to offer help with errands, support, and local initiatives.
OLIO – Reduces food waste by letting people share surplus food with others nearby.
Charities & Organisations:
Volunteer Scotland & NCVO (England) – Help people find volunteering roles in their local area.
The Trussell Trust – Supports a nationwide network of food banks to combat hunger.
Samaritans – Provides emotional support to people in crisis, with opportunities to volunteer as a listener.
Crisis – Helps people experiencing homelessness through housing, education, and employment support.
Change, Grow, Live - Support individuals in recovery from addiction, offer mentoring, or help with outreach projects.
Further Information
Acts of Kindness: How Helping Others Can Boost Our Well-being
