4 Reasons Why You Should Volunteer

4 Reasons Why You Should Volunteer

Volunteerism has long been considered an excellent tonic for the soul. Helping individuals and communities in need never fails to bring a smile to one’s face. But did you know that there are tangible effects to volunteering beyond feeling good about yourself?
 
Whether you realise it or not, the various volunteering opportunities present you with a chance to connect with others and experience new things. Of course, this isn’t to say we should only volunteer our time and effort when there is something to gain. These acts should always come from the heart, and you should not expect any return for your good deeds.
 
And no one embodies the volunteer spirit quite like Mr Zulhafiz Zainal, our seasoned volunteer at PPIS who serves as a workshop facilitator for our student programmes. We spoke with him to learn more about his enthusiasm for volunteering, hoping that his experience and the benefits of volunteering can inspire others to sign up for volunteering opportunities too.
 
Benefit #1:  Volunteering connects you to others
 

Humans are inherently social. The desire to connect with others and widen our social circle is a part of human nature. Being part of a team with a common goal of helping others can help you form life-changing bonds with other like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds. And these shared values may go beyond altruism. 
 
Furthermore, through these volunteering opportunities, you get to meet people with various interests and outlooks. Understanding these unique perspectives can help one to broaden one’s horizons. And that is something Mr Zulhafiz knows all too well, having participated in various volunteering opportunities and worked with numerous volunteers of different backgrounds.
 
“One thing I really treasure about volunteering is the fact that it widens my worldview and allows me to understand things from different perspectives. Because of the many different people I meet and work with as a volunteer, it allows me to interact with them at a more personal level, listen to their life stories and advice, watch them in action and from there broaden my perspective on life as a whole.”

~ Mr Zulhafiz Zainal
 
Benefit #2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body
 
Volunteerism is a two-way street. When you help others, you are not just making the person feel good, but you also experience positive emotions within yourself! Such effects can have various benefits to both your mental and physical health.
 
1. Increases your self-confidence.
 
You feel a natural sense of accomplishment when you are doing good for others and the community. This role may even provide you with a sense of identity and pride. And when you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to have a positive outlook on your life. This, in turn, boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem.
 
2. Contributes to your well-being
 
By participating in various volunteering opportunities, you can maintain regular contact with others, helping you develop a robust support system. Furthermore, when you engage in volunteering work, you start to feel good about yourself. When this happens, your brain releases dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, which are feel-good hormones responsible for improving your mood.
 
3. Helps you stay physically healthy
 
While volunteering is suitable for all ages, it is especially recommended for older adults since volunteer work keeps them active. Additionally, studies have discovered that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate compared to those who do not volunteer.
 
Benefit #3: Volunteering brings fun and fulfilment to your life
 

Singaporeans lead hectic lives. Between juggling our family, work, and hobbies, it might seem like a herculean task to fit volunteering opportunities into your jam-packed schedules. But volunteering can actually be a fun and easy way for you to explore your passions. 
 
In fact, this is actively encouraged. Doing volunteer work that you find interesting and meaningful is the ideal way to energise yourself and take a break from your day-to-day routine. For example, Mr Zulhafiz enjoys volunteering opportunities where he gets to communicate with people and listen to what they have to share. This is why he often volunteers as a workshop facilitator for our various student programmes.
 
“Personally, I enjoy volunteering opportunities where I play the role of the facilitator. I enjoy communicating with people and listening to what they have to share because when I do so, I inadvertently also learn from them. This helps me develop as an individual too. If I had to select a particular age group, I am very into dealing with teenagers and youths as I feel my strength as a volunteer is forming genuine bonds with this particular age group and guiding them through their teenage years, something that may not be easy for all. We all have our own respective strengths and this happens to be mine.”

~ Mr Zulhafiz Zainal
 
Benefit #4: Volunteering can teach you valuable skills
 
Do you know volunteering can teach you valuable skills? For example, if you are advocating for women’s empowerment and raising awareness of this social issue, you can gain valuable public speaking and communication skills. These soft skills can prove helpful in other aspects of your life, like work.
 
As an educator himself, Mr Zulhafiz has found the various volunteering opportunities beneficial for his career. Working with children from various profiles has helped him hone his craft as a teacher, equipping him with the necessary skills to provide his students with the guidance they need to succeed in study and life.   
 
“As an educator, volunteering has helped me understand children and youths at a much greater level. I am exposed to a lot more profiles of individuals that I normally do not get to see in school, and from there it really helps me hone my craft and prepare myself for what’s to come in the event I do get an assignment to guide and groom students of a similar nature.”

~ Mr Zulhafiz Zainal
 
We all have a part to play in constructing the world we live in today. Knowing this, don’t you want to do your part to make this a better world? If you are considering volunteering, we advise bringing an open mind, a positive attitude, and a willingness to do whatever is required. Additionally, we suggest looking for volunteering opportunities in Singapore that align with your passions – this will help you stay committed to the work.
 
At PPIS, our family service centres and student care centres are actively looking for passionate volunteers who wish to make a difference. If you are interested in helping families and children in need, do not hesitate to contact us today or visit https://ppis.sg/volunteer to enquire about our volunteering opportunities.