Formal volunteering involves committing your time and skills to support organised groups or causes, creating a structured way to give back.
organised volunteering, structured volunteer work
Formal volunteering involves committing your time and skills to support organised groups or causes, creating a structured way to give back.
Check out our safety recommendations.
Clarify the time commitment required for your initial volunteering session.
Consider what items might be useful to bring and pack accordingly.
Be open-minded about this first experience. It may or may not be right for you, but it will be a learning opportunity.
When you are ready, head to our Practice Guides and get started.
Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!
Formal volunteering is a powerful way to connect with your community while making a meaningful difference. Whether you're helping out at a local charity, supporting a cause you care deeply about or lending your expertise to an organisation in need, volunteering offers a structured environment to contribute your time and skills. It's an opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and feel a sense of accomplishment. As you dive into the world of formal volunteering, you’ll experience what it is to give back and the satisfaction of contributing your efforts. Let’s explore how you can get involved and make a positive impact.
While volunteering is about helping others, it's also a powerful way to enhance your own wellbeing, both mentally and emotionally.
Enhanced sense of purpose
Self well-being
Stress reduction
Emotional well-being
Improved social connections
Social well-being
Increased physical activity
Physical well-being
Boosted self-esteem
Self well-being
Jimmy Carter
Person
Angelina Jolie
Actor
Roger Federer
Sports
Parks and Recreation
TV Show
Volunteering comes in various forms, allowing you to choose what best fits your interests and schedule.
Hands-on volunteering
Virtual volunteering
Event-based volunteering
Skills-based volunteering
⚠️
Understand what skills and responsibilities will be asked for and ensure it’s a good match.
🤔
"What am I walking into here?"
😊
"Okay, this is happening"
😬
"I hope I'm actually being helpful!"
😌
"This is kind of cool!"
😊
"Yeah I'll come back, I'm in!"
Are you ready to start formal volunteering?
We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.
Wondering whether you should start on your own or in a group set up for this activity? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started today.
Compare
Recommendation for first-timer
1st pick
Not picked
Availability
Widely
Widely
-
Average cost per session
Free or low cost
Free or low cost
-
Special equipment required
None or minimal
None or minimal
-
Potential for socialisation & community
Mostly solo
Highly social
-
Safety & skill building
Mixed results
Safe & fast
-
Space or privacy required
Some required
Minimal
-
Ease of scheduling
Very flexible
Need to plan
-
Setup time
Little to none
Up to 30 mins
-
Active practice time
An hour +
An hour +
-
Unexpected advantages
Wholesome
Wholesome
-
2020 saw an uptick in virtual volunteering due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Harry Potter fans volunteer at events to promote literacy and community engagement.
Formal volunteering dates back to the American Civil War when women volunteered as nurses.
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6 memes
Volunteering in the care of people with severe mental illness: a systematic review
Hallett, C., Klug, G., Lauber, C., & Priebe, S. (2012). Volunteering in the care of people with severe mental illness: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-12-226
Impact of Crisis Line Volunteering on Mental Wellbeing and the Associated Factors: A Systematic Review
Willems, R., Drossaert, C., Vuijk, P., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2020). Impact of Crisis Line Volunteering on Mental Wellbeing and the Associated Factors: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1641. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051641
What are the emotional experiences of being a volunteer in palliative and end-of-life care settings? A systematic review and thematic synthesis.
Coleman, H., & Walshe, C. (2021). What are the Emotional Experiences of Being a Volunteer in Palliative and End-of-Life Care Settings? A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 62(3), e232–e247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025
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7 research pieces
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