Volunteering is a pivotal aspect of social and community life, involving people willingly offering their time and skills for the benefit of others or a cause without financial compensation. It plays a critical role in strengthening community bonds, addressing societal needs, and fostering a sense of belonging among volunteers themselves. It also provides opportunities for personal growth and career development and enables individuals to gain new experiences to bolster their CVs.
Volunteering can be done in person or remotely. In the latter case, virtual volunteer management techniques involve scheduling regular check-ins with these volunteers to provide them with the necessary support and guidance. In addition to this, some organizations use communication tools like Get Connected to collect feedback from their volunteers, helping to re-engage them and improve the quality of their volunteering experience.
The nature of the work done by volunteers varies greatly, with some volunteering activities requiring a significant level of physical activity. Other volunteering activities may involve the use of specialised knowledge or skills, such as professional counselling (e.g. mental health, domestic and family violence, grief counselling) or advocacy in areas of need such as HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness.
Some volunteers work as part of an emergency or disaster relief team, providing care and assistance to impacted people in the wake of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane. Other volunteer jobs may be related to specific events, such as major sporting events where a large team of volunteers are needed to meet and greet guests, assist with navigation, run activities, and other operational tasks.