The first thing that you have to consider is why you want to volunteer. Think about what volunteering can offer you – such as new skills, being with others, fun, an opportunity to make a difference or contribute to a cause that you believe in.

As a volunteer, you can choose from a number of different types of work placements. Whether you want to spend a whole year out, or just fill up your holidays, you can find a number of full-time charity placements both in the UK and abroad.

Generally, volunteerism can be described as the act of giving without expecting anything in return. It is one of the most basic of expressions of our humanness. One that has developed throughout history and tradition, anchored on the value of sharing and community-building.

Volunteering is not a crash course into rocket science, but it is a crash course into the deeper and finer things that make life a whole lot better. It is an opportunity, when taken, that opens our minds and hearts to the vastness of the universe, one that we can all contribute a song, a verse, a deed, and even a thought to. 

People volunteer for many different reasons. Some of these reasons are: building new and existing social networks, making new friends, developing skills and knowledge, making a difference in their community, and so on.

In just the recent year, the world has witnessed a surge of massive wild fires displacing communities and animals, the rapidly melting glaciers at a rate of 5 to 16 feet per day, a series of terrifying thunderstorms, and the extinction of 20 animal species including the Dodo Bird and the West African Black Rhino.

Why do people volunteer? Is it because it feels good to give back? Or maybe it’s because you have a personal connection with the cause. No matter the reason, volunteering is an amazing experience that can provide you with more opportunities than you ever even realised. When you invest your time in an organisation and its mission, there is plenty for you to gain. And, you should be seeking ways to make the most of your experience.

The idea of volunteering – giving your time and energy to a cause without financial reward – may seem an impossible task. The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that the essence of life is “to serve others and do good,” and it seems an increasing number of people are starting to wake up and see why volunteering is important and to understand how serving and helping each other in different ways benefits not just others but ourselves, too.