Lily Holbrook
One of my biggest regrets leaving university was the fact I never got involved in student radio. I knew that feeling would only get worse if I left it unexplored, so in November last year, I started volunteering at my local hospital radio station…and I’m so happy I did.
When life is busy, volunteering might feel like it should be the very last thing on our list of priorities. On paper, I can completely see why – I don’t get paid, I have to dedicate time each week to plan and broadcast our programmes, and as a 23-year-old, the idea of giving up Friday evenings should be unbearable. So what keeps me going back?
Here’s my take on the top nine reasons to volunteer…
1. You learn new skills
The opportunity to pick up snippets of knowledge we would never otherwise discover is a huge part of what makes the process of volunteering so enriching. From the technical aspects of laying up spreads in Adobe InDesign to driving a radio board. The skills I’ve learnt from volunteering – as a sub-editor for my student paper, via hospital radio, and from a summer spent with the Canal and River Trust – have always been rich and varied.
2. You get so much better at managing your time
You might think you don’t have time to volunteer, but sometimes having another commitment to juggle can be the perfect way to focus your energy and actively make a positive difference, while challenging your skills and work ethic.
3. It’s an ideal opportunity to give something back
While you may not get anything physical in return for volunteering, the intangible rewards are great. I’m a strong believer that you get out of things the energy you channel into them, and in the case of volunteering, there are infinite lives you can touch – whether that’s those in your community, your family, or your own.
4. Making the most of the nights
After a long day at work or uni, the idea of more commitments can feel overwhelming, but having a consistent volunteering routine can help add a new lease of life to your evenings. Whether it’s writing, radio broadcasting, or community projects, making the most of the hours in the day allows us to reap rewards we might never have expected, generating an immense feeling of accomplishment.
5. Stepping out of the box of everyday life
In my experience, you’re far more likely to regret not volunteering. Stepping out of the usual routine is the perfect way to broaden your horizons – socially, personally, and professionally. Even if it doesn’t work out, it’s always possible to channel your energy elsewhere.
6. It’s fun!
Countless silly moments happen when you surround yourself with new people, and volunteering is no exception. Young and old, volunteering lets us cross paths with people we’d never encounter in everyday life – and if you follow a pursuit that you love, chances are you’ll meet like-minded people that make the experience a total joy.
7. You’ll be inspired
Learning about people’s life stories is one of the most beautifully rewarding things about being a volunteer, no matter what you decide to do. While ward visits are still off limits at the hospital I currently volunteer at, connecting with people across the airwaves as we read out requests is one of the most magical things about it.
8. You may even travel the world
Working with an overseas marine conservation organisation back in April 2019 was undoubtedly my standout volunteering experience. The trip opened up so many possibilities, and the memories, connections, and confidence I’ve formed since are a part of my life that I will treasure forever.
9. And finally…
While I believe wholeheartedly that creative pursuits should be financially rewarded, sometimes there is more value to be gained than money. When we struggle to get paid for the work we want to do, volunteering gives us the freedom to live out our dreams as a test run, while pouring love and energy into causes and organisations that rely on volunteer contributions.
In musical terms, volunteering adds another metaphorical string to your bow. We may play many wrong notes as we try to find our own unique tune, but the more strings we have, the more opportunities we create for ourselves – and the more pathways we allow ourselves to uncover.
What could be a better reason to volunteer than that?
Featured image courtesy of Noah Buscher on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
Lily Holbrook
Lily is passionate about combining her environmental values with her love of music, the natural world and culture.