Meeting People.
Volunteering is a good way of meeting new people from all walks of life. You might make new friends, or simply improve your understanding of the community you live in, by meeting a wider
group of people who live there. Volunteering can help combat loneliness, or help people who are new to an area make new friends and settle in.

Learning New Things.
You can learn new skills, which range from practical tasks such as cooking and I.T., through to others which aren't so clear cut, but are still important - like communication, time management and problem solving. Volunteers are sometimes amazed at what they have achieved.

Improving Confidence and Self Worth.
Feedback from volunteers show that very often volunteering makes people feel valued, and helps grow confidence and self worth.

Gaining Experience.
Some people volunteer to gain experience and skills to help them get a job. Volunteering offers a 'safe' environment, which people can test out certain career areas, to see if it something they wish to pursue, such as social care. Employers often view volunteering favourably, especially as people are giving their time freely to a cause.

Learning More about a Cause or a Community.
Volunteering can help you learn more about a cause that you have a special affinity with, or help you gain more understanding about a particular community.

Giving Something Back.
Some people simply enjoy volunteering, as they feel they are 'giving back' to their community.