In today’s fast-paced work environment, the importance of health and wellbeing often gets overshadowed by deadlines and deliverables. However, there’s a powerful tool at our disposal that can significantly enhance not just individual wellbeing but also the health of our communities and the overall atmosphere in our workplaces: volunteering.

Encouraging colleagues to volunteer in their local communities brings a wealth of benefits, creating a ripple effect that touches every aspect of life. Let’s take a look at what this means...

The Personal Health Benefits

For individuals, volunteering offers a variety of health benefits. Volunteer activities can reduce stress, combat depression, and provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment. When you step out of your routine to help others, you experience a boost in mood and overall happiness. This isn’t just a feel-good myth—numerous studies back this up. Volunteering is associated with lower blood pressure, reduced chronic pain, and even a longer lifespan. The physical activity involved, whether it's organising a community event or helping to clean up a local park, also contributes to better physical health.

Strengthening Community Bonds

When colleagues volunteer together in their local communities, they help to strengthen the social fabric of those communities. Local organisations rely on volunteers to run programmes that support vulnerable communities, enhance public spaces, and provide educational opportunities. By giving their time and skills, volunteers help to create a more supportive, and resilient community. This, in turn, creates a better environment for everyone, including the volunteers themselves.

Boosting your company’s morale

From a company perspective, promoting volunteering can lead to a more engaged and motivated workforce. When employees participate in volunteer activities, they develop a sense of pride and loyalty towards their company. This is particularly true when the company supports and encourages these efforts. Volunteering can serve as a powerful team-building exercise, fostering stronger relationships among colleagues. It encourages teamwork, improves communication, and can break down barriers between different departments or levels of hierarchy.

Moreover, companies that support community engagement often find that their employees develop new skills and perspectives through their volunteer work. These experiences can translate into increased creativity, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills back in the workplace. Additionally, companies that are known for their community involvement can attract and retain talent who value corporate social responsibility.

Creating a Positive Feedback Loop

In essence, encouraging colleagues to volunteer creates a positive feedback loop. Healthier, happier employees contribute to stronger, more vibrant communities. These communities, in turn, provide a better environment for everyone to live and work in. And as companies see the benefits of a more engaged and cohesive workforce, they are more likely to invest further in volunteer programmes.

So, let’s take a step towards a brighter future by encouraging and supporting our colleagues in their volunteer efforts, maybe by including a volunteering day or two to take in the year. Together, we can make a difference, one volunteer hour at a time.

PS If you want to stimulate your brain outside of the workplace, check out the Philosopher-in-Residence blog – out fortnightly on Thursdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe. Browse the latest edition here:

https://www.makemeaplan.com/news/on-tribes/