I am now volunteering for three different organisations and I must say it is incredibly rewarding and definitely feeds the soul.

I help organise our IATEFL SIG after recently moving to Joint SIG Coordinator and this really helps build my network where I learn what other teacher trainers do. I am Vice Chair for Humanist Scotland who strive for human rights for everyone both here in Scotland and internationally.

Then, just last week I began helping with dog training…yes you read that correctly, dog training at my local dog behaviour centre right here in Stirling. What a joy that was, I met around 50 fur babies and we helped their owners with training them to be the best pets possible. I watched the qualified and experienced trainers do brilliant work with young pups and older teenage dogs, met some lovely dogs and their owners and got chatting to the other volunteers who were also learning plus I achieved my daily step count in a few hours! Win, win!

I am a freelance ELT Teacher Trainer and Canva Specialist who works at home - often spending much of the day on my own +on my computer! So to be out and about with a big group of like minded people and their pups was a pure delight!

There are many reasons for volunteering and I have hinted at a few above. The https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ outlines some more.

Your service, your goals

When you’re giving your time, skills and services, you deserve to get something back. Most volunteers have specific reasons for what they do including myself. The article provides some other reasons.

Gaining new skills

Whether you’re studying, starting a career, looking for work or trying to improve your promotion prospects, volunteering can be a great way to learn and develop the skills you need, both practically and personally.

Making new friends

Sometimes life changes leave us a little isolated. Maybe you’ve recently moved to a new area. Perhaps you’ve lost a partner. Or you might just have lost touch with people as their circumstances change. Volunteering reconnects you with your community and helps create new friendships that keep loneliness at bay.

Mental and physical health and wellbeing

We know that keeping active, mentally as well as physically, has a powerful influence over our health and wellbeing. More than 80 per cent of our volunteers say the work they do has improved their mental health and sense of wellbeing and almost half think it’s improved their physical health

Giving something back

Maybe you’ve benefited from volunteering services at some time in your life. Perhaps you just feel like you’ve been fortunate, and you’d like to share that with others. Volunteering gives you that opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ or to give something back.

Improving your confidence

Sometimes life can knock your confidence, for example losing a job or needing extended time off work. Sometimes people are just a little shy and want to improve their personal skills. Volunteering gives you a chance to find your feet in your own time and at your own pace, allowing you to build your confidence in a way that works for you.

Every individual has their own reason for volunteering and their own ideas about what it will do for them. There’s no right or wrong approach, it’s all about exploring the opportunities on offer and finding the one you know is right for you. The most important thing about volunteering is that you should enjoy it on your own terms and that it's a rewarding experience for you, as well as for the people you help.