Four good reasons to volunteer

Volunteering
April 1, 2023 •  By Centraide
Dame afro-américaine avec un plat de nourriture

When you volunteer, your good actions come back around to benefit both you and your community. Volunteering brings great personal satisfaction as well as a sense of well-being and belonging.

Many volunteer action centres and community agencies looking for new candidates have observed the many benefits of volunteering. Here are four good reasons they give to lend your time to help others:


1. Volunteering improves your physical and mental health

  • Reduces stress
  • Improves mood
  • Helps fight depression
  • Reduces the risks of heart disease
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Protects against cognitive problems
  • Increases life expectancy

©Corporation de développement communautaire de Longueuil

Studies have shown that people who volunteer feel better physically and mentally. In the Doing Good is Good for You study (2013) by United Health Group, 94% of respondents said that volunteering put them in a better mood, 78% felt less stressed, and 76% said they were healthier. Other studies have shown that by being more active, volunteers are less likely to develop diseases such as cognitive problems, heart disease, or blood pressure issues. Try it yourself and see how you feel! 

©CIVA

2. Volunteering makes us better people

  • Increases personal and social skills
  • Increases motivation
  • Broadens your horizons and opens you up to the world
  • Builds self-esteem
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Volunteering is a great way to grow and have fun. What is more motivating and rewarding than helping others? Volunteering opens you up to the world, broadens your horizons, and gives you a new perspective. Giving your time and energy is also a way to find self-fulfillment, highlight your skills, and build your self-esteem. The people you help also have a lot to give back to you.

3. Volunteering connects us

It lets us: 

  • Be part of a group
  • Work on a shared project
  • Meet new people
  • Become a part of our community or neighbourhood

©Centre d’action bénévole Bordeaux-Cartierville

Whether you get involved at a family centre, food bank or seniors’ agency, you’ll absolutely learn a lot from the new people you meet, including other volunteers and staff. Working together toward a common goal and sharing experiences help us connect with others. Nothing is more rewarding than belonging and contributing to a group.

©Maison des Grands-parents de Villeray

4. Volunteering can give you a professional boost

Volunteering lets you: 

  • Enhance your CV
  • Gain new experiences and skills
  • Become familiar with a new work setting
  • Expand your professional network
  • Get references

In your professional career, volunteering is an opportunity to not only build new skills but also discover new workplaces and expand your network. You may even discover a new passion! Volunteering also looks good on a resume. Putting your skills to work for a good cause will definitely impress a potential employer, as it shows your openness to teamwork. The time to volunteer is now!

Want to get started? Get the full details here.


1 out of 5 people receives our help.
5 out of 5 people benefit from it.

Let’s all lend a hand

Supporting a network of over 375 community agencies also means promoting an inclusive, poverty-free society.