West Neighbourhood House (Formerly St. Christopher House)’s Post

Day 7: Volunteer Your Time, Talents and Treasure Today's Challenge: Volunteer your time at a local organization that supports survivors of gender-based violence. "What are your unique gifts and strengths, and how could you use them to make a difference in your community through volunteering?" Why it Matters: Volunteering is good for both your health and the world. It reduces stress, provides a sense of purpose, and fosters social connections, all of which boost mental well-being and self-esteem. Physically, it can encourage activity and teach new skills, contributing to overall health. At the same time, your efforts make a tangible difference, addressing community needs, supporting causes, and creating positive change globally. Volunteering is a win-win for personal growth and collective impact. "What are your unique gifts and strengths, and how could you use them to make a difference in your community through volunteering?" Resources: Margaret Mead Quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." The Po

Did you know that helping others can boost your own happiness? It's true! Volunteering isn't just about giving—it's about receiving too! It boosts confidence, reduces stress, and increases happiness. Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dfMYzRnp Check out www.volunteermatch.org for volunteer opportunities!

Quick mum update... Mum is about to surpass 3 full days of volunteering!! That is 72 hours dedicated to improving the lives of older people in her community 🥹 #BemorelikeDebby I love getting a message like this from my wonderful mum. She throws on her Volunteero merch to make her weekly calls to the older people she befriends!! 💜 When we started Volunteero, Mum jumped at the opportunity to volunteer for one of our clients... partly to support me but also partly because she had always considered volunteering but never actually managed it. Mum is not alone. I speak to people daily who say they want to volunteer but always the reasons for not doing so are the same: 1. Don't know where to get started 🤔 2. Worried it won't be flexible 🤯 3. The process is poor 🫣 This is exactly why we do what we do. We want to get the world volunteering and we want the impact of volunteering to be higher by empowering volunteers to do more! p.s. if you wonder what she is on about when talking about my dad, he spends his days investigating conspiracy theories on some sketchy TV channels. #volunteering

In-kind contributions. Volunteering. Giving back. Helping out. There are so many ways we share our kindness, skill, expertise, and time without financial reward. We often do gain something in return, whether it's a feel-good feeling, someone helping us at another point, or a system that we are part of which runs on volunteer contributions. Let's not underestimate the power of community and service, volunteering and giving. I need to review an academic paper for a journal today. I won't get paid for it. Although, the system means that when I want to publish an article, someone I don't know will review it for me. So, I will gain from the roundabout of review - I can't pat myself on the back really. It made me think of all the people I know who give selflessly, time after time, to help someone out. All those volunteers I see at food banks, youth clubs, street outreach volunteers, befrienders. Who would you add? I'm sure, between us, we could add many many to the list! #CelebrateVolunteers #voluntary #kindness

April is #NationalVolunteerMonth, a time to recognize the power of volunteers to tackle society's greatest challenges. Volunteering is not only a way to give back to our community, but it's also a way to enrich our own lives. Not sure where to start? This article from #StateFarm provides helpful tips on discovering a volunteer opportunity you'll love. Remember, each small action could lead to a significant impact. https://lnkd.in/gnXVxMn6

🌟🤝 It's National Volunteer Week 17-23 April, and we're celebrating the incredible impact of giving back to our communities! 🎉💖 Volunteering isn't just about helping others—it's about building connections, sharing kindness, and making a difference, no matter how big or small. This week, we invite our seniors and disabled individuals to join us in spreading joy and positivity through volunteerism! 💻 Virtual Opportunities: Explore virtual volunteering opportunities from the comfort of your own home! From online tutoring to virtual companionship programs, there are plenty of ways to make a difference through your computer screen. 🏡 Local Initiatives: Get involved in local initiatives that align with your interests and passions! Whether it's assisting at a community garden, participating in neighborhood clean-ups, or volunteering at a local charity, there's something for everyone to contribute to their community. 🌈 Share Your Skills: Don't underestimate the power of your unique talents and skills! Whether you're a master baker, a skilled crafter, or a fantastic listener, there's someone out there who could benefit from your expertise and kindness. Let's make this National Volunteer Week one to remember by spreading love, compassion, and positivity wherever we go! Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter, more connected community for all. 🌟🌍 #NationalVolunteerWeek #GiveBack #SpreadKindness #supportsolutions 🤗🌷

#ReflectionsOfAVolunteer Are we counting ALL our volunteering hours 🤔 The past couple weeks I've been sat at my laptop way past logging off time, but it isn't because I've been burning the midnight oil for my day job. I've been preparing to volunteer. We log "frontline volunteering" hours, when our volunteers are out there on the ground but what about all the time and effort that goes into getting to that stage. In your volunteering reports are you counting ·       Training hours ·       Travel-time ·       Board meetings ·       Sub-team meetings ·       Admin that volunteers are taking home ·       Session plans that they may be creating as volunteer trainers ·       Even onboarding, the time it takes to research and apply for a role. If we started counting all the minutes our volunteers put into just preparing to volunteer then I think we’d probably double their hours and fully represent the value of those who choose to donate their time to make a difference Now let me get back to that summer-camp admin! #volunteering #charitysector #charityleaders

Communication is essential for engaging and informing volunteers. At our organization, we ensure regular and effective communication with our volunteers through various channels and methods. Coincidently after an event on 5th September 2024, I happened to bump into 3 volunteers when they were having lunch at Changi City Point. It's always a pleasure to reconnect with volunteers outside of their volunteering hours. I also took the opportunity to update them on our next upcoming volunteering opportunities to join us when they are available. Volunteering connects you with like-minded people who share your values and passion. It's a great way to meet new friends and expand your network. So why not make time for volunteering? Even a few hours can create a ripple effect of positivity vibes for the community. #volunteerengagement #effectivecommunication #volunteers

🌟🤝 It's National Volunteer Week 17-23 April, and we're celebrating the incredible impact of giving back to our communities! 🎉💖 Volunteering isn't just about helping others—it's about building connections, sharing kindness, and making a difference, no matter how big or small. This week, we invite our seniors and disabled individuals to join us in spreading joy and positivity through volunteerism! 💻 Virtual Opportunities: Explore virtual volunteering opportunities from the comfort of your own home! From online tutoring to virtual companionship programs, there are plenty of ways to make a difference through your computer screen. 🏡 Local Initiatives: Get involved in local initiatives that align with your interests and passions! Whether it's assisting at a community garden, participating in neighborhood clean-ups, or volunteering at a local charity, there's something for everyone to contribute to their community. 🌈 Share Your Skills: Don't underestimate the power of your unique talents and skills! Whether you're a master baker, a skilled crafter, or a fantastic listener, there's someone out there who could benefit from your expertise and kindness. Let's make this National Volunteer Week one to remember by spreading love, compassion, and positivity wherever we go! Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter, more connected community for all. 🌟🌍 #NationalVolunteerWeek #GiveBack #SpreadKindness #supportsolutions 🤗🌷

This weekend's article in the SMH provided valuable insights into the current challenges of volunteering. My key takeaways: 👉 Increasing Sign-on Requirements: While it's essential to ensure the safety of both volunteers and the people they assist, how can organizations strike a balance between maintaining safety and reducing the barriers to volunteering? 👉 Volunteering Under Pressure: Volunteering significantly boosts the wellbeing of both volunteers and those they support. Yet, volunteer numbers are dwindling, even as the need for their help in communities has never been greater. The statistics are concerning – participation has fallen from 36.2% of those aged 18+ in 2010 to 24.8% of those aged 15+ in 2020. 👉A Positive Opportunity: Interestingly, nearly 14% of non-volunteers reported that they hadn't been asked to volunteer. VA sees this as a promising opportunity – it highlights an untapped pool of potential volunteers. 💡 This is something we can leverage – I plan to start asking more people! We are looking for volunteers now in many locations: https://lnkd.in/grh4DVb7