Volunteering in the charity sector is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to society. And it’s partly through people giving up their free time that many charities operate as well as they do.

Wood for Trees Consulting Analyst, Rob Dyer, ponders the value of volunteering for both charities and those giving their support, this International Day of Charity.

Volunteering dependency

More and more, we hear clients and prospects asking us about volunteers; how to find more of them, how best to engage with them, how to calculate their true value, looking beyond pounds and pence. It seems it’s a hotter topic as dependency on volunteers grows.

There are benefits to both side of the arrangement. Charities can depend on the time and effort given by the public for a reasonably small expense and volunteering offers individuals the opportunity to make a positive change. And with more than 165,000 registered charities in the UK, the options for volunteer work vary. Whether helping people, animals or the environment, there’s a cause for everyone.

Volunteering policy

Many employers view volunteering with favour, including us! It’s a sign of a proactive attitude, compassion and a willingness to go above and beyond. Volunteering can enhance your CV by demonstrating teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. As part of fulfilling our B Corp promises at Salocin Group, we’ve implemented a volunteering policy whereby each member of staff can take a day of paid leave to volunteer for a cause they’re passionate about.

For young people and students, volunteering can be particularly valuable. Not only can it help them stand out in a competitive job market, but it also offers first-hand work experience. The insight it provides to a potential future career path can be invaluable.

Volunteer recruitment

Earlier this year, a Third Sector article caught my eye, suggesting over half of charity organisations are struggling to recruit volunteers. I found this quite surprising. Getting involved in volunteering should be easier than ever, thanks to the internet. Websites such as Doit, Volunteering Matters and Reach Volunteering provide listings of opportunities based on your interests, skills and location. Then there’s local social media, which offers a great many more options. Charities often have their own dedicated volunteer pages recruiting for specific roles too.

Indeed, government research suggests one in three of us volunteers in some capacity at least once a month. And more than half of us volunteer in some capacity at least once a year. This leads me to question exactly how loose the definition of volunteering could be…

Why volunteer?

Clearly, lots of people (or survey respondents at least) believe they’re making positive contributions to society out of the goodness of their hearts. In which case, perhaps there’s a nut for the charity sector to crack; why do people volunteer in the first place?

So, I asked people who work with me exactly that. People’s stories were varied, but most suggested a deep, personal connection with their chosen charity. And I can relate to that – things I’ve done previously have been connected to a cause close to my own heart.

The other thing that jumped out from team responses was how much my colleagues felt they get out of volunteering. There are social aspects, such as meeting like-minded people who want to help. There’s an obvious boost from seeing the lives of others made better, even if only briefly. It can also honour the memories of loved ones by seeing a positive difference made to people’s lives. So, from this, the benefit to the volunteer is as evident as the benefit to the charity.

News stories in the UK often warn of difficult financial conditions for years to come. Suffice to say, the third sector is not insulated from that, despite continued growth in revenue.

So, as the UK continues to face social, economic and environmental challenges, the role of volunteers is only set to grow in importance. Volunteering in the UK charity sector offers a win-win situation; charities gain valuable support and volunteers gain skills, experience and the satisfaction of contributing to society. Whether you’re looking to give back, gain experience or simply meet new people, volunteering is a rewarding way to make a difference in the world. With so many charities in need of help, now is the perfect time to get involved and start making a positive impact.