Newbury & District NCT Newsletter - Autumn 2016 Newsletter - Newbury & Disctrict Branch | Page 11

Why volunteering is important If you have ever thought about volunteering – for however much or as little time as you want to give, and in whatever capacity suits you best – then now is the time to do something about it. Volunteers have an enormous impact on communities worldwide! Below are some of the reasons people choose to volunteer. For some it provides an opportunity to:       Give something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person's life, either directly or indirectly Make a difference to the lives of others Help the environment Help others less fortunate or without a voice Feel valued and part of a team Gain confidence and self-esteem For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:     Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience Developing existing skills and knowledge Enhancing a CV Gaining an accreditation NCT Newbury & District  Using one's professional skills and knowledge to benefit others For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:    Meeting new people and making new friends A chance to socialise Getting to know the local community [2] NCT volunteers also experience broader benefits. In a recent peer support training programme 83% reported having made new friends, 74% said they had improved selfconfidence and self-worth, and almost half felt they had better job prospects after volunteering for NCT.[1] Volunteering enables you to meet other parents and do something worthwhile to make a difference for other new parents. Lots of people think of volunteering but don’t because no one asked them, so I am asking you now. Do think of getting more involved and helping make sure this charity does continue to make a difference. [1] “Coming to a hospital or community centre near you!” Perspective (Jul 2016) - ‘Copyright© NCT 2016 [2] Why volunteer? Retrieved from https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/whyvolunteer 11