Marking International Volunteers’ Day
International Volunteers’ Day has been recognised since 1985, and this year it’s Saturday 5th December. The Day is a worldwide United Nations’ moment to thank volunteers and express gratitude for their efforts - despite all the challenges at hand. In Horsham at the beginning of the first lockdown, over 2,000 people volunteered to help with the pandemic. Amazing! Or is it?
With most of us leading busy lives, the idea of volunteering – giving your time and energy to a cause without financial reward – may seem an impossible task. I mean, how can we fit anything else into our already jam-packed schedules? However, the benefits of volunteering are known to be vast for the volunteer themself– not just for those receiving their help.
Whether it’s providing kids with sport or litter picking in your local area, the benefits to both the receiver and the wider community are clear.
Volunteering is joyful for a whole host of possible reasons, including providing a sense of purpose, physical exercise, being out of doors, expanding an existing interest within a group of like-minded people, becoming part of a stronger local community, sharing and learning skills, intellectual stimulation, getting a change of environment, leaving a legacy for future
generations, being a great role model for others as well as enjoying a sense of being able to offer a valued contribution, no matter how small - or ambitious!
Studies do show that the more we volunteer, the more uplift we can experience - but it doesn’t have to be a huge long-term commitment! Even participating in one-off, simple ways can be mutually invaluable to those in need and improve our own health and happiness at the same time.
Known benefits include connection with people you may not necessarily meet in your everyday life, building confidence, selfesteem, physical health and mental health, especially for lonely or socially isolated older people.
It also helps us forget our own problems, showing us that our own lives often aren’t as bad as we thought they were!
Volunteering can even help with a career when we learn new skills or teach our existing ones; it’s something that a companies may look for on a c.v.
So, a massive shout-out to all Horsham’s wonderful volunteers.
Before the pandemic 36% of people volunteered in one capacity or another. Horsham District Council happily has a huge number of volunteers and our society would not function so well without you:
Those who help at the Capitol, the Green Gym who chop and clear vegetation from our paths, those who put their waders on to help keep the River Arun clear. People who help at hospitals, hospices, Age UK and in schools. The footpath wardens, litter pickers, and amazing First Responders, Red Cross and St John’s Ambulance. I volunteer to lead Horsham wellbeing walks, and my husband volunteers with the Pensions Ombudsman, helping people sort out their pension problems!
Others help at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau or the Library, Mediation Service, the Counselling Service, Samaritans oh goodness I could go on and on all the sports clubs and youth groups…I am sure you get the picture! There’s something for everyone, so no-one need feel isolated.
So I would like to say a huge thank you to all of those people who have volunteered before during and hopefully after the pandemic including all our lovely SGL supporters.