The Impacts of Volunteering on the Subjective Wellbeing of Volunteers: A Rapid Evidence Assessment

Introduction

This document sheds light on how volunteering boosts people's happiness and overall mental health. It reveals that volunteering not only helps those in need but also significantly enhances the volunteers' sense of purpose, belonging, and self-worth. Particularly, older adults and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds experience stronger benefits.

Insights for Volunteer Organisations

For organisations that manage volunteers, this document is invaluable. It highlights the importance of good volunteer management and the need to address inequalities in volunteering opportunities. By focusing on creating a quality, inclusive, and enjoyable volunteering experience, organisations can maximise the wellbeing benefits for their volunteers.

Future Directions

The document calls for more research to fully understand volunteering's impact on different groups and suggests that volunteer organisations play a crucial role in enhancing volunteers' wellbeing. It's a call to action for policy makers and funders to prioritise wellbeing in volunteer projects, ensuring a positive impact on both the community and the volunteers themselves.

Stuart, J., Kamerāde, D., Connolly, S., Ellis Paine, A., Nichols, G. and Grotz, J. (2020) The Impacts of Volunteering on the Subjective Wellbeing of Volunteers: A Rapid Evidence Assessment, What Works Centre for Wellbeing and Spirit of 2012