Volunteering Didn’t Change the World, but It Changed My Life

Volunteering didn’t change the world, but it changed my life. At the age of sixteen, following an intense period of examinations, coursework, and college applications, I made the decision to volunteer… and I never looked back!

I started volunteering in the summer of 2015, providing retail services as part of AGEUK. What initially was planned to be a month of work in a charity shop quickly turned into 10 months of opportunity, friendships, and progress! Volunteering is about people—people helping other people to bring out the best in us all.

The Impact of Volunteering on Personal Growth

Volunteering, whether for a few hours on a weekend, a week, month, or year, makes a huge difference. My commitment on Saturday mornings didn’t change the world—volunteering doesn’t have to be ground-breaking or life-changing, yet I felt great pride and empowerment from my experience. It prepared me for employment, as I later saw a direct correlation between gaining part-time work and the word “volunteer” on my CV.

Why Volunteer?

People often ask, “Why volunteer?” My answer consists of two simple points. Firstly, volunteering is hugely rewarding! It gives you confidence, self-belief, and satisfaction. The simple decisions you make and actions you choose can make a huge difference—whether supporting local initiatives or individuals. Secondly, volunteering creates opportunity! It enhances your university applications and resumes, and is highly regarded by employers. My growth as a volunteer resulted in part-time work just two days after applying—evidence of volunteering’s influence.

Giving Back to the Community

Volunteering demonstrates that you are giving something back to your community, facilitating positive change and making improvements to your local area. It doesn’t matter what your background is, what your academic results are, or how “qualified” you may feel. All it takes is you to give it a go and make a difference!

After one hundred hours of volunteering, I was privileged to receive a V100 award for my volunteering achievements—certification of my effort and hard work! A quick search for opportunities on the Vinspired website was a great way for me to find volunteering placements and receive credible certification. I recommend volunteering and signing up to the site to anyone and everyone; I did, and I loved it!

For more inspirational stories, check out Volunteering Didn’t Change the World, but It Changed My Life and Volunteering Not Only Changed My Life - It Saved It.