Why Volunteer?

Why indeed?
 I've often wondered, what it is that motivates some young people to volunteer, and why to some it just never crosses their minds?
For me, volunteering allows me to do something more productive with my time (which I have a lot of today because work is very quiet!); instead of surfing the net for something useless to speed up time, I can be updating this blog, searching for new opportunities for volunteers and improving my design skills.
I have volunteered for vinvolved Greenwich for over a year now and have found the benefits to be plentiful! Not only have I met people from all walks of life, I have done things I would never thought I would, learned lots of new things and had a great time. I've improved my CV and interview skills loads (it always makes people think twice about hiring you when you can show you have the motivation to work in a team of people, improve your skills and gain experience working).
But its not all about the personal gains, just imagine the small differences we have made all over the place; they are bound to join and make one huge difference eventually (well thats what I believe anyway- every little helps). We may not be able to change the world right now, but I reckon we may have made someones day, week or month by taking time out of our own lives to focus on another.
So why may some people not even consider it?
Well I've been told some just don't have the time or funds to work for free, some say that it is too difficult to find a placement that suits them, and some even have just not found out about it, or know the joys it brings!
If you haven't volunteered before and have come across us, why not consider it; you've found out about it now, it's easy to get involved with this particular volunteering group (just email us and come to the centre), you can choose whatever interests you and cater events and opportunities around them (we, the volunteers, organise, run and attend our own events!) and you can witness for yourself the benefits it may bring! (oh did I mention you can claim back your expenses and can do as much or as little as you want- so don't worry if you haven't got days and days free!)

We all have different motivations for doing this, but if you don't give it a try how can you say its not for you!?
Email us at: Julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk for any more information on how to get involved.

If you would like to learn more about the research into why young people volunteer in Greenwich, contact us at ctvinvolved@gmail.com