Volunteer Wellbeing
We love finding things we love and sharing them with a wider audience. This work out of the United Kingdom is one of those very cool things. They undertook some massive work to synthesize work around volunteer wellness. The findings from this review are derived from a thorough, balanced, and swift analysis of 158 relevant studies and 17,000 published reports that explore the connection between volunteering and the subjective wellbeing. There is so many amazing juicy things in this we find myself returning to it as I build facilitations for the year ahead. The following comes from What Works Wellbeing, the Institute for Volunteering Research at the University of East Anglia and Spirit 2012. The key takeaways:
Volunteering has been shown to boost overall wellbeing, contributing to greater life satisfaction, heightened happiness, and a reduction in depressive symptoms. It plays a vital role in the wellbeing cycle within communities, as it not only enhances the volunteers' health but also encourages others to participate when they feel emotionally and physically well.
Particularly, groups such as older adults, the unemployed, and those dealing with chronic health issues tend to experience the most significant benefits from volunteering. Volunteering can also serve as a valuable support system for individuals navigating major life transitions, like retirement or bereavement, offering a sense of purpose and connection during challenging times.
Those who stand to gain the most from volunteering often face barriers to getting involved. Limited opportunities, poor health, and disabilities are some of the key challenges, especially for low-income individuals.
It's important to note that not all volunteer roles are equally beneficial. The demands and intensity of certain positions can sometimes have an adverse effect on wellbeing. How organizations engage and support volunteers plays a crucial role in ensuring that volunteering contributes positively to their health and happiness.
Organizations can improve the wellbeing of their volunteers by fostering inclusivity, enhancing social connections, creating a more balanced and manageable volunteering experience, and making the work feel truly meaningful.
Check out the full report here.