Many of us want to make a difference but knowing where to start can sometimes feel overwhelming. Between busy lives, work, family commitments and changing circumstances, volunteering can sometimes feel like something we’d love to do ‘one day’, but not right now.For some people, volunteering begins after a big life change, for others, it’s a quiet desire to do something positive.

But at Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), we believe however you should wish to give your time, that volunteering should be accessible, flexible and rewarding for everyone. Whether you’re looking to give back to your community, meet new people, learn new skills, or simply do something meaningful with your time, volunteering can offer far more than you might expect.

While the impact of volunteering is often seen in the lives of others, its effect on the people who give their time can be just as powerful, and there are a wide range of opportunities now discoverable through the GoVo digital volunteering platform.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

At Royal Voluntary Service, we shout about the mutual benefits of volunteering – you should get as much out of it as you put into it.  

The sense of reward that comes with volunteering is brilliant for making us feel we have a purpose, which we know has even proven to be a lifeline for some of our volunteers, particularly those who might have been in a stage of life where they felt at a loss. Many volunteers tell us that volunteering has helped them regain confidence, structure their time, or rediscover a sense of direction when they needed it most.

Each year we ask volunteers what they get out of their time with us. This year, almost 90% of RVS volunteers told us that volunteering improves their wellbeing. There are a number of reasons why. Firstly, we are social creatures and volunteering to help others is particularly good for making you feel part of a community. A sense of belonging is often linked with good wellbeing and mental health.  

It can also be great for physical health, such as activity levels, especially if you choose roles that get you out and about. 1 in 3 RVS volunteers tell us that volunteering has made them more physically active. For example, our hospital trolley volunteers can sometimes do thousands of steps a day pushing a trolley of snacks and essentials through hospital wards to visit patients. For many people, volunteering becomes part of their routine – a reason to get out of the house, a familiar face to look forward to seeing, or a regular moment of connection in an otherwise busy week.

Just one of the many examples of why volunteering might make us feel happier is that most volunteers find themselves learning new skills and increasing in confidence, which are both brilliant for self-esteem. Some studies have even shown that helping other people can often release endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which is a more chemical explanation of why volunteering might make you feel great.

Of course, even understanding the benefits doesn’t always make it easier to take the first step – especially if time, energy or confidence feels limited.

What sort of volunteering opportunities are available?

We understand that there are many factors that can affect someone’s ability to volunteer. Many people want to give their time, but matching those good intentions with the right opportunities isn’t always easy. Modern life is busy and too often, the right opportunities and the right people simply don’t find each other. 

That’s why, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Royal Voluntary Service has developed GoVo, a digital volunteering platform created in collaboration with charities of all sizes to connect volunteers with the causes they care about. By simply entering your postcode or filtering by a particular charity close to your heart, GoVo will show you hundreds of volunteering opportunities available in your area, and in communities across Britain.

GoVo is designed to make the process of discovering volunteering roles easier. You can browse at your own pace, explore different causes, and choose opportunities that match your interests, availability and comfort level, all before making any commitment.

GoVo is just one way to find volunteering opportunities. For those who prefer an in-person approach, local volunteering centres across the country continue to offer face-to-face advice and support.

We believe that volunteering should fit your life, not the other way around. And so, alongside traditional volunteering roles such as working in a charity shop or helping out at a food bank, GoVo also offers quirky, less traditional roles – from DJing at a disco for people living with dementia, to flexible, remote, and one-off opportunities that fit easily into everyday life.

There really is no such thing as a typical volunteer. Whatever your age, background, or experience, there’s a role that’s right for you, and that you can benefit from. Whether you have an hour to spare or are looking for something more regular, GoVo can make it easier to take that first step. Volunteering doesn’t have to be all or nothing, it can start small and grow along with you.