Five reasons why you should volunteer

This Sunday, 5 December, is International Volunteer Day, and it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate what’s so great about giving up your time and lending a hand.

At Council alone, we have over 900 volunteers who work in 11 different services, from delivering library books to looking after our marine life, to hosting Meals on Wheels community lunches. We couldn’t do it without them!

That’s not to mention the thousands of volunteers who give up their time at local organisations across the peninsula. A big thanks to you all – you’re a big reason the Northern Beaches community is so unique.

Not that you needed any more enticing but here are some reasons why you should volunteer!

This one might seem obvious but, giving up your time can make a big difference in someone else’s life. Whether you are a Justice of the Peace, taking people to appointments, or giving up your time in a charity’s administration team, your time and effort can support others in the community.

Denise, a volunteer gardener at Mona Vale Cemetery, says: “We all have such a good time together and it’s really rewarding.

“We hear comments from families visiting their loved ones that the cemetery looks fantastic and it’s so nice to hear that. I always think that if it was me or one of my loved ones that it would be great for them to be resting somewhere that is looked after – so it’s really rewarding in that sense.”

No matter where you volunteer, you’ll be meeting other like-minded volunteers and people living in your community. Volunteering can give you a real sense of belonging and purpose.

Jason, one of our Meals on Wheels volunteers says: “I love giving back to this community and this country that has given my family and me so much. When I see the Council staff and my clients out and about, it gives me a real sense of community belonging.”

Depending on your volunteer role, there’s so much you can learn on the job. From leadership, problem solving, team work, time management and so much more. Plus some volunteer opportunities can even turn into permanent roles, if that’s something you’re interested in.

Giving something back to your community, and to others, can also make you feel good! Research has found that people who ‘give’, whether it’s their time or money have reported feeling happier and healthier.

Napat, a volunteer at our Coastal Environment Centre says: “I volunteer to learn responsibility and sacrifice for society. It also benefits me because planting and caring for trees is a learning experience, calms the mind and puts me in a good mood. It is generally good for my mental and physical health.”

If you’re passionate about a particular organisation or movement, volunteering can enhance your commitment and give you a huge sense of satisfaction. It can be incredible to work in a space that you truly care about.

Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers for the work they do for our community. Find out more about volunteer opportunities at Council and local community organisations.