Article by Lani.
Over 4,000 people have volunteered their time overseas and over 10,000 in Australia to help build homes, communities, and hope with Habitat. Volunteering greatly benefits those in need, but did you know that it can benefit you just as much as the people you’re helping?
Read below for our top 11 reasons to volunteer for Habitat Australia today.
1. Meet new people
Volunteering for Habitat opens a world of opportunities, including meeting super-awesome, like-minded people! While volunteering, you could have a conversation or make a connection that could change the rest of your life. The more people you know, the more you can expand both your business and support networks. Through the meaningful
connections, you’ll make, you never know who you might meet – a new friend, a prospective employer, or even your future partner (we can vouch for this it actually happened on several builds and led to a few Habitat weddings).
2. Do something good
Why volunteer? Because you know you’ll make an impact. You’ll provide help in crisis situations, learn about homeless support services and emergency accommodation, and reap the social benefits of volunteering. When you volunteer with Habitat, you know that your time and effort is going towards creating a happier, healthier, and more secure future for people in need. Volunteering is a valuable way to give back to an organisation that has helped you or someone you know. And there’s no greater feeling.
3. Gain confidence
Want to improve your social and relationship skills? Then volunteering is for you. Through Habitat Australia you’ll be talking to a range of different people and honing your teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. You’ll feel a natural sense of accomplishment, which will boost your self-esteem as well as a sense of pride and identity. They say stepping out of your comfort zone is where you find growth.
4. Add it to your resume
Did you know that you’re more employable if you’ve had volunteering experience? Studies say that those who have volunteered stand out against their competitors, making you more likely to land that job. Taking the time to give back to the community shows your compassion and willingness to help others, which are great qualities many employers are looking for. Volunteering can teach you skills that are super valuable in the workplace, like teamwork, communication, time management, organisation, and project planning. You’d be surprised at the number of people who started volunteering their time at Habitat, who have now landed themselves paid work with us.
5. Have fun
One of the best reasons to volunteer – it’s so much fun! Not only do you get to meet new people and make friends, and you also can embrace cultural traditions and see new places! Opening yourself up to new experiences where you get a glimpse into how other cultures and people live is a really valuable experience. Habitat offers both local and global volunteering opportunities, so there’s something for everyone! Volunteering can really bring out your passion and positivity while adding a bit more zest to your life – sounds pretty hard to beat.
6. Do it for your health
There are loads of studies that show how volunteering your time can have positive impacts on both your physical and mental health. Volunteer work gives you a sense of purpose and can keep you mentally stimulated, as well as reducing loneliness and self-isolation. Experts say that when you’re focused on helping others, your stress levels decrease. And believe it or not, studies have found that people who volunteer generally have a lower mortality rate. Not only that, but they’re also less likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. As little as two or three hours of volunteering can improve your mood and perspective, and regular volunteer work can even further protect your mental health.
7. Learn new skills
There are so many skills you can learn through volunteering your time with Habitat. If you join our Global Village Program, you could learn how to weave bamboo, dig trenches, lay bricks, mix concrete or even paint a house! If office work is more your pace, you can always volunteer to work in our National Office and master your organisational and scheduling skills, time-management, critical thinking, and computer skills (send your CV to [email protected]). Through volunteering, we can guarantee that you’ll grow both personally, and professionally. You might even discover a hidden talent.
8. Help to empower yourself, and others
Volunteering opportunities can have massive impacts on both the people you help, and for yourself. At Habitat, our motto is “Through Shelter, We Empower”. One of the main advantages of volunteering is the feeling of empowerment, being in control of your life choices, and creating a better future for others and for yourself. When you feel empowered, you can live with more purpose, confidence, and higher self-esteem… and the benefits can last a lifetime.
9. Change your thinking
Change your thinking and you can change the world. Through volunteering, you’ll be exposed to people who come from different backgrounds to your own, and you’ll meet people you otherwise might have never encountered. You can learn from a variety of people from all different walks of life if you open your mind to new experiences. A shift in perspective might help develop a sense of clarity and decide what is truly important.
10. Be a good role model
Do you have kids, a family, friends, or workmates? If you begin volunteering your time, you’ll realise how good it feels to know you’re making a positive difference. And you’ll be a hero to those around you. One you start to make positive changes, others will want to get involved too. Helping those in need is a great lesson to learn, and an even greater lesson to teach. Plus, you know what they say… what goes around comes around. If you help someone now, hopefully, your good deeds will be returned.
11. Get inspired
Sometimes, day to day life can get a bit dull. New experiences, like volunteer work, can often inspire you to get out of old habits and try something new. You might discover your new calling or spark a new interest. Volunteer work can also be relaxing and energising… it might even renew your creativity and motivation.
Are you ready to volunteer your time to Habitat? You can volunteer as an individual, or with your organisation, school, or church.
Simply click here to get started: https://www.habitat.org.au/volunteer/
Resource List:
https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/meaningful-life/purposeful-activity/volunteering
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