YOU might be a dab hand helping out at your kids’ school fete or whipping up cakes for a bake sale, but have you ever thought about volunteering on a regular basis?
Yes, life is hectic, but for a sense of fulfilment and a health and wellbeing boost, volunteering could be your superpower.
We’ve launched our Fabulous Baby, Bank On Us campaign in partnership with Save The Children, Little Village and baby banks across the UK that provide parents with essentials, from clothes to cots.
These banks are more vital than ever as families struggle with the cost of living, so we’re asking parents to support other parents by donating used children’s items to their nearest baby bank, and if you can, volunteer.
“Volunteering has so many social, physical and mental health benefits, plus it helps your community and the planet,” says Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy.
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In fact, it’s so good for you, GPs now socially prescribe it — connecting patients with local groups, charities and social care services to support their health and wellbeing, from community gardening projects to volunteering jobs.
Arts on Prescription in Gloucestershire is one of these schemes, and since its launch in 2014 it’s seen a 37% reduction in GP consultation rates, as well as a 27% reduction in hospital admissions.
Tempted? We reveal the many perks of giving up some of your precious time.
The Health Benefits
Helps loneliness
“Volunteering means joining in with a network of others and is a great way to combat loneliness,” says Dr Lee. According to a study in Psychology Today, loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
Builds resilience
“Getting involved helps distract you from your worries, helping reduce stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms,” says Dr Lee. “Volunteers develop improved coping mechanisms for daily life, leading to increased self-esteem.”
Gives purpose
“Volunteering can create a sense of purpose and help us feel good about ourselves,” says Dr Lee. “It increases happiness and, according to one Japanese study, happy people can live up to 10 years longer.*”
Reduces Pressure
I'm scared I've ruined my daughter's life because of her name
“A study by Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, found that people who volunteered more than 200 hours a year, for four years, were 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure,” says Dr Lee.
“This could be because volunteering increases physical exercise, and we know there are many benefits to not being sedentary.
Also, participation in social events leads to the release
of the hormones oxytocin and ADH, which regulate the part of the brain involved in the stress response.”
Protects the heart
“Volunteering is good for your heart,” says Dr Lee. “In a study by the University of British Columbia in Canada, those who volunteered for an hour a week had lower BMI, cholesterol and levels of inflammation than those who did not.”
Helps with weight loss
Volunteering keeps you active and, according to one American study, those who volunteered 15 hours per week burned twice as many calories as those who didn’t.
It’s a Brain-Changer
Volunteering is also great for the mind. “Numerous studies have shown that keeping up social, physical and cognitive activities reduces the risk of dementia by up to 60%,” says Dr Lee.
“It’s certainly true that physical activity leads to increased production of a vital protein in the brain that’s needed for neuroplasticity — making new neural connections.”
It sure beats a game of sudoku!
‘You learn so much about yourself’
Dawn Neale-Seiffert, 62, lives in London and volunteers at Little Village.
“After being made redundant from my job in retail during Covid, I went freelance, which has been good but it also comes with times where you’re not working very much.
"I’d previously volunteered for various charities, and then an opportunity came up at Little Village. I met some of the team, including Renata who runs the hub, and they were wonderful.
I sort clothes and meet families one to two days a week, to give them the items they need. It’s been an incredible change for me.
"You feel like you’re doing something good. Suddenly, you’re meeting people you would never usually come across and they are never what you imagine. I get quite emotional about it.
"It’s incredibly uplifting, because you learn things about yourself. There’s so much love and everybody is made to feel part of the community. We’re all in it together – nobody’s judging each other.
"It’s been a really positive experience, and having had children myself, I know how important it is to give them a good start in life. It seems like an investment in the community.
"The camaraderie and the mental health benefits of it are also so obvious. I feel so great when I’ve finished a shift, even a really tiring, intense, busy one.
"Some people volunteer for a couple of hours every once in a while, sorting through the clothes to help out – it’s all appreciated. You’ll be hooked!”
‘Volunteering gives you a sense of community’
Kate Moran, 33, lives in Leeds with her husband Ross, 38, a business owner, and is a stay-at-home mum to Franklin, seven, and Corinne, four. She volunteers at Leeds Baby Bank.
“My little boy was in intensive care when he was born. Seeing how hard everybody worked at the hospital and understanding other parents’ difficulties, made me want to become a volunteer.
"My family and I are in a healthy, comfortable position and it feels like giving back is the right thing to do. It’s made me realise how many people are struggling.
"It’s easy to believe it’s all happening far away and doesn’t really involve you, but it’s literally happening on your doorstep. People are really struggling, especially now.
The community is lovely and the volunteers are amazing. When you’re a stay-at-home mum, it can be quite lonely, so it’s nice to go and meet people. I’d say to give volunteering a go. You won’t regret it.”
