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Doing good does you good

Loneliness is one of the key issues of our time and is proven to be a significant health challenge, not just restricted to the elderly. For many the simple act of helping others could stop you feeling lonely. Volunteering Development Manager Jill Cook explores the effect volunteering has on wellbeing.

Researchers at the University Of California San Diego School Of Medicine believe the key to preventing loneliness could lie in acts of kindness. To most people that might mean volunteers being matched with people to keep them company but it could actually be just as beneficial the other way around. The simple act of helping others could stop you feeling lonely.

A national study on the volunteer experience "A Time Well Spent" NCVO January 2019 reported that:

  • 68% of volunteers agree their volunteer experience makes them feel less isolated
  • 89% of volunteers meet new people through volunteering
  • 93% of volunteers say they enjoy volunteering

Making a difference matters and volunteers report on a wide range of personal benefits including improved mental health and wellbeing, increased confidence, improved physical health and the opportunity to meet new people. Volunteering can help counteract the effects of stress, anger and anxiety and bring a sense of happiness. Meaningful connections and relationships are vital in our overall health. When promoting volunteer opportunities at CHAS we offer the chance to learn new skills, meet new people and make a difference to the cause however maybe we need to be shouting louder about the health benefits – in our 2019 Volunteer Survey, 32% of volunteers cited improvements to their health and wellbeing as a result of their volunteering with CHAS!

Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of Mental Health Foundation states that there is "a strong relationship between the wellbeing, happiness and longevity of those of us who are compassionate. Doing good can help reduce stress and improve your emotional wellbeing."

In December I volunteered with CHAS for a half day at Intu Braehead on the Christmas wrapping stand. This was the second time I had offered to do this mainly because of the enjoyment of combining two of the things that I love, wrapping presents and talking to people. Having the opportunity to meet other CHAS volunteers some who were volunteering for the first time, others who had direct experience of using CHAS services in the past was so interesting. I also had the chance to talk to the very generous Glasgow public about an organisation which is close to my heart and to hear their reactions to what we do was just fantastic.

As a Volunteering Development Manager at CHAS, I am fully aware of the need to thank and value volunteers but I suppose what this experience did was to remind me that the volunteer themselves often get so much out of what they do. I know I gained so much more than I gave on those two occasions, and I will definitely be back this year. It was difficult to actually bottle how I felt but it was such a buzz and I left feeling energised despite having been on my feet for over 4 hours.

So I can speak from experience that doing good really does you good!

See the many ways you can volunteer with CHAS..

If you want to talk to someone about your own situation or find out more about our services, please get in touch: