(0)20 good reasons to volunteer

Nearly half of all Amsterdam residents volunteer. Why do they do it? What makes it worthwhile? Below, we’ll give you (0)20 reasons from volunteers themselves!

1. It’s fun!

Did you know that the most frequently cited reason for volunteering is “it’s fun”? People volunteer because they enjoy it. What makes it so enjoyable? Well, that’s different for everyone, of course. So it’s important to choose volunteer work that you enjoy. If walking makes you happy, you can volunteer as a walking buddy. If you’re interested in other cultures, check out what you can do at an asylum seekers’ center. If you want to get your hands dirty alongside your office job, there are plenty of green spaces that can offer you a pleasant place to stay, and so on.

2. You have nice contacts through volunteer work

Oh, this one’s mentioned so often. Social contact, nice people. People who share your mission. Whether it’s amateur theater, elderly care, the neighborhood, sports, helping refugees, or something else, you work together towards a goal that matters to all of you. That’s really energizing. It’s also just nice to have colleagues you see regularly, chat with about your life, or just the weather. And people to laugh with, as one person wrote: “Because some colleagues are so funny that they regularly put a smile on my face.”

3. The nice reactions you get

The smile on a resident’s face, the enthusiasm during an activity you organized, the compliments about a beautiful garden, the gratitude of parents for a fun Scouting weekend. It’s priceless! That’s what many volunteers find so rewarding.

4. You learn so much from it

Whether it’s through a course or simply while doing it, volunteering is educational. For many volunteers, this is even one of the first reasons they cite. They want to continue to challenge themselves, learn new things, and continually develop themselves through their volunteer work. Volunteering inspires them, and that inspiration carries over into other areas of life, such as their paid jobs and their social lives.

5. You contribute something to society

Volunteering is always for the benefit of others or society. And that’s what makes it so rewarding for many people. You make a difference in someone’s life, and that feels good. Someone wrote, “I see people change for the better, and that’s worth more than a paycheck.”

6. You can make what is important to you come true

Are you committed to poverty? Making culture accessible? Refugee shelter? Elderly care? Youth development? A clean neighborhood? You can put your social responsibility into action by joining a volunteer initiative. You’ll find people with the same commitment and passion, and shared commitment is double commitment!

7. It is just as valuable as paid work

There are people who, for various reasons, can no longer do paid work. Volunteering allows these people to feel valued by society and others. And they are! Volunteering can give you a structured daily routine. It can also give you a different experience of your free time, as it exists alongside the tasks you have to perform as a volunteer.

8. Your talent is worth gold

Are you good with social media? Do you always get things done? Do people come to you for a listening ear? Are you a stickler for organization? A language whiz? A talent for Excel? What comes naturally to you is golden for a volunteer organization. With your talent and enthusiasm, you can make a difference. And you can do that with just an hour a week or by solving a one-time problem.

9. Volunteers are happier

Large-scale research  shows that people who volunteer are happier than those who don’t. You could say that happy people simply volunteer more often, but they included that factor in their study. And: volunteering really does make you happier. Being helped is nice, helping others is even nicer!

10. It’s a chance to step out of your bubble

With all the new people you meet, there’s a good chance you’ll also meet people you don’t normally encounter in your daily life. It’s wonderful to get outside your bubble. You hear a different story, share in a different experience, and see life from a different perspective. And that’s not only fun, but it also makes you wiser. Join an organization that works for the homeless, for people from different cultural backgrounds, for the LGBTQ+ community, for the elderly, or even for children. Your blinders will be blown off, and you’ll be richer in valuable connections.

11. Because the chocolate milk from the vending machine is so delicious.

Okay, granted, the volunteer who sent me this meant it as a joke. But sometimes it’s the little things that count. A delicious cup of hot chocolate, a birthday card, a pen from your organization, a view of the garden, a chat with the building manager. Even the little things count!

12. It looks so good on your resume

Volunteer experience is something you can easily include on your resume and LinkedIn; it’s even a valuable addition. Many employers have embraced corporate social responsibility. If you’re a socially engaged individual, showcase it on your resume. Experience in coaching, facilitating groups, writing articles, creating social media posts, or organizing events—include it on your resume so the company you’re applying to can see your talents.

13. Someone asked me

Most people who volunteer do so because they were asked to. Funny, isn’t it? When you’re asked to do something fun or by someone you like, you often say yes. You usually don’t stick around because you were asked, but because you enjoy it. Yet, a frequently cited reason for volunteering is: “I was asked to help.”

14. You are not concerned with your own problems for a while

I once spoke with a hospice volunteer. She was caring for people who were dying. I asked if that wasn’t intense. Her answer surprised me. She told me that volunteering actually brought lightness to her life. As a manager in a welfare organization, she was under pressure all day long and preoccupied with the daily grind. Her volunteer work put those daily grinds into perspective. Which is quite logical, actually. You don’t necessarily have to be among people in the final stages of life to gain a lighter perspective on life; volunteering where you’re committed to helping others simply takes your mind off yourself for a while. Isn’t it nice to experience that life isn’t all about you?

15. You can do what you always wanted to do

Is acting your passion? You can also do that for people with dementia instead of in a theater. No glitz and glamour, but a tremendously good feeling. Doing what you want to do makes someone else happy. I also received responses from people who wanted to work in healthcare but couldn’t finish their education or couldn’t find work due to their disability. Volunteering lowers the barrier to entry for healthcare and social work. “I became a volunteer because I want to help people with things I can do, despite my limitations. I feel more energized by being able to make a difference for others.” I couldn’t have said it better myself! Another wonderful response: “After my breast cancer treatment, I was declared unfit for work, but I can’t sit still. I now volunteer at an animal ambulance. I’ve always worked in healthcare and still have a deep passion for it. I’m doing it differently now.” A nice change of pace, isn’t it?

16. Volunteers are healthier

Research from   Ghent University shows that volunteers are, on average, healthier than non-volunteers. Considering that it’s good for you to connect with others, keep your brain active, and keep your body moving, the study’s findings probably won’t surprise you. Volunteering usually includes all these elements, and more!

17. Why not?

This man turned it around: “It’s easy for me to do something; it doesn’t take much effort. I can do it, so why wouldn’t I? It’s healthy for everyone to step outside their comfort zone and make a difference for someone else.” He experiences his volunteer work as something that requires little effort and is a great pleasure for others. That, in turn, makes it a great pleasure for him and gives him a sense of purpose. Indeed, why not?

18. “A volunteer explores life in all its facets”

This quote by Dirk de Wachter, the renowned psychiatrist, comes from his book  “The World of De Wachter .” He writes about volunteers: “People with this invisible commitment challenge themselves to learn how to relate to society. In this way, they work on their identity, which is much more personal than in economic relationships. Volunteering fosters an inquisitive attitude. A volunteer explores life in all its facets. It shows that happiness isn’t evenly distributed everywhere.” In fact, volunteering is a recurring theme in all his work; you could say his motto is “happiness lies in the other.” So, according to the psychiatrist’s prescription, everyone should volunteer!

19. You’ll get somewhere again

I’m a curious person, which is why my volunteer work makes me happy. I’ve been to a women’s prison to offer an activity, I’ve been to the women’s shelter and heard stories there. I spoke with an artist, a foster family, a rabbi, and more. Volunteering allows me to pursue my curiosity and gain new experiences while also helping others. What are you interested in? Who or what would you like to get to know better? Volunteering is a great way to gain new experiences!

20. You might meet the love of your life there

I didn’t receive this beautiful story by email or Facebook, but I heard it from a man I met. I think it’s such a sweet story that I’m sharing it here as a closing remark! Willem graduated in the 1980s. Unemployment was high, and many young people took up volunteer work to make a difference and have something to do. Willem was one of them; he joined the Taaldrukwerkplaats (Language Printing Workshop), just like Astrid. Sparks ignited, and he’s still married to her. So there you have it!

Find your own volunteer story

Interested in volunteering? We get it! To find the perfect position for you, check out our online job board or schedule an appointment at one of our consultation hours in the city.

Text: Diana van den Eijnden
With a big thank you to the contributors: Mickel Adams, Cecile, Thea van Hirsel, Heidi van den Boogaard, Janneke Pastoors, Karin Houteveen, Natascha Vet, Inge Everaars-Willebrands, Paulette Kreté, Marjo Dankers.