As well as nominating and supporting a ‘charity of the year’ as a firm each year, we also encourage our employees at Oliver & Co to support their own charities and volunteer for other local organisations.
We love to hear stories from our employees when they volunteer their time for good causes and make a difference in their community. We know that they find volunteering to be very fulfilling. From offering their legal and other expertise to local charities, volunteering at night church, helping the homeless, litter picking, coaching youngsters in local sports clubs, to running and maintaining a village hall where all members of the community can benefit, our employees make a huge difference to their local communities during their own time.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
People volunteer for different reasons. However it is undoubtable that the benefits of volunteering are enormous. Volunteering has a huge impact on so many people’s lives whether you are at the receiving end of the help or are contributing your time to help others.
Mental health benefits:
Taking part in volunteering can help combat your own personal feelings of stress, anger and anxiety, and boost confidence and morale. As humans it is a natural instinct to feel good when we help others. Working with pets and other animals has been proven to improve mood and reduce stress.
Gaining new skills:
Volunteering can also give you many valuable life skills and introduce you to new experiences. If you are considering a new job or career, volunteering can help you get the required experience in your area of interest and meet contacts in your desired field. As employers, we often look for people who have volunteering experience as it shows they have been proactive in acquiring new skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, organisation and time keeping.
Making new friends:
Sometimes life changes leave us a little isolated. If you’ve recently moved to a new area, have lost a partner or have lost touch with people as their circumstances change, volunteering provides an opportunity to make new friends and connections within your community as it keeps you in regular contact with others.
Giving something back:
If you have benefited from charities or other volunteering services at some time in your life, you will understand the positive impact that volunteering can have. You may feel like you have been fortunate and wish to share it with others by ‘paying it forward’. There is no doubt that volunteering provides an opportunity to give something back.
National Volunteering Week
This week (1st to 7th June 2023) is National Volunteering Week, a week of celebrating the many people who give their time to charities throughout the year. We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who takes time out of their busy days to give back to the communities in which they live. And that includes our lovely, kind-hearted employees.
