Added: 3rd January 2024 by Leonardo
On International Volunteer Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate and thank our people who dedicate their precious time and efforts volunteering for a diverse range of important causes.
Volunteering has so many benefits...but don't take our word for it!
Hear first-hand from a few Leonardo people who share their own personal experiences of volunteering and the benefits that it brings to them and those around them.
Volunteering helps personal development
I began volunteering in a frontline role to give me greater self-development opportunities and to make a positive change within the community.;
I am a Special Constable for Avon and Somerset Constabulary; a fully warranted police officer on a voluntary basis. I respond to 999 calls as part of a local response team and provide proactive policing within the area. This involves investigations into urgent and priority crimes and occurrences, with active participation across a wide range of frontline initiatives. It also involves regular training and requalification activities.
Being committed to a greater cause is very rewarding; being put into challenging positions where every day is different, whilst helping people within the community is really fulfilling.
Volunteering enables you to make a difference
I run ADHD Somerset and do voluntary work in the local community with families and children with ADHD. I am available to support anyone seeking a diagnosis for ADHD to contact me for signposting/support etc.
Volunteering allows you to enjoy doing something good
I am a school governor which means we hold the Head Teacher and school to account in delivering first class education to our children.
We monitor school activities which could be hearing the children read, watching classroom and playground behaviour (always fascinating!), or talking to teachers about the curriculum. Most recently, we've been monitoring the wellbeing of pupils and teachers.
I enjoy the feeling of doing something good for the children at the school and supporting the teachers. I have learnt new skills along the way – like patience!
Volunteering benefits your mental health
I’ve been volunteering now for over three years in my local park that is Gloucester Park in Basildon, Essex.
In the summer on 2020 when we were in lockdown and more people were using our parks, as a small group of people, we got together to start doing litter picks as there was so much litter lying around. Later that year we set up a little committee and applied successfully for a grant from the council! With the grant, we bought some gardening tools, so we are now doing gardening, as well as litter picking in the park, either on a Friday or Saturday. The group really struggles to get people to volunteer, but we carry on and are making a real difference within our park and working with Basildon Council.
Volunteering has benefitted my mental health being outside in the fresh air and helping nature out at the same time!
