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Type: article
Parent page: Getting started with community volunteering
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In today’s fast-paced world, many people feel isolated from the people around them. Volunteering to help one’s community is a great way to re-establish vital connections with one’s neighbours and friends. It also allows people to have a positive impact on the area in which they work and/or live.
What’s more, many studies have shown that volunteering for community service increases personal satisfaction and one’s sense of belonging. Many people, however, face difficulties in finding community-service groups that will allow them to build these important connections and make a difference. This article is aimed at helping readers find such groups, and begin the gratifying process of becoming a community volunteer.
How to Find Volunteer Groups in Your Community
While the internet is a great resource, the best way to begin looking for a good community volunteer group is by talking to family, friends, and other local acquaintances. This is a relatively easy way for people to find groups that are likely to need their support, into which they can quickly and easily integrate.
Searching on Facebook or other social-media platforms is also a viable option. But this tends to be a more daunting process, since it requires one to work with closely with people who they probably have never met before.
How to Get Started with a Volunteer Group
Once a person has chosen a group, it is very important to make a good first impression when they eventually meet those with whom they will be doing volunteer work.
In general, it is best to enter community volunteer groups with as few preconceptions as possible, and to keep one’s mind open to other people’s ideas.
After you have spent some time in the group, you can begin making your own suggestions as to the best ways to serve the community at large.