If you’re a retiree who likes to stay active and engaged, there are many benefits of volunteering your services within your community. Not only does volunteering make you feel good, but it also gives you a sense of purpose, motivates you to socialise, allows you to share your talent and experience, and wards off feelings of loneliness.
Our communities need volunteers. Offering your skills and services can make a huge difference to the lives of people, animals and organisations in need. Volunteering also offers a range of benefits for you, including:
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Improved physical and mental health
Volunteering keeps your brain active and keeps you moving. Doing good things for others helps you feel happier, keeps you energised, improves your mood and reduces stress.
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Keeps loneliness and isolation at bay
Getting out and lending a helping hand is a great way to connect, engage and socialise. Promoting positive feelings, one of the major benefits of volunteering is that it gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
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Encourages new friendships
When you work towards a common goal with like-minded people, it’s easy to make new friends. Joining others to make a meaningful contribution in your community solutions is a great way to form strong, long-lasting bonds.
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Learn new skills and share your experience
Volunteering can offer new opportunities for you to learn. It can push you out of your comfort zone to achieve new things, and maybe even discover a new passion. It’s also a wonderful way to share your talent and experience with others, especially those younger than you.
Where to volunteer
Before you jump into volunteering, make sure your chosen activity is one you’ll enjoy. Also, check that it will fit into your schedule – so you are balancing it with all the other good things in your life!
There are also a range of charities and non-profit organisations who need volunteers. Here are few opportunities to kickstart your research:
For more information on volunteering opportunities in your community, visit Volunteering QLD.
