Volunteer Now has always promoted the benefits of volunteering, not least to volunteers’ own health!

In Northern Ireland, the most recent research (Continuous Household Survey 2019/20) shows that the most commonly cited benefit as a result of volunteering was it “makes me feel better about myself”.  A review carried out in 2020 for the What Works Centre for Wellbeing and Spirit of 2012, has explored 158 studies about volunteers and their wellbeing.  Focusing on adult formal volunteers, it has highlighted the key factors involved in improving wellbeing through volunteering.  It found high quality evidence that volunteering is positively linked to enhanced wellbeing, including improved life satisfaction, increased happiness and decreases in symptoms of depression.  This clearly is important information for those designing, delivering and managing volunteer activities.

We are delighted therefore that Dr Jurgen Grotz, Senior Research Fellow, Director of the Institute for Volunteering Research, who was involved in the review was available to tell us more about the findings and how we can learn from them.  This webinar was recorded on 4 December 2020.