3 reasons why volunteering could be the best thing you do this year

Here are three reasons why you should think about volunteering.

Jun 24 2025

A woman smiles at the camera wearing protective goggles as she cuts a fallen branch

Volunteering can be a fun and meaningful way to give back to your community. It gives you the opportunity to shape the things around you that are important to you. Here are three reasons why you should think about volunteering.

Meet new people

In 2022, almost half of all adults in the UK said they felt lonely, a number which has risen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet people and become more connected with people around you. Sharing an interest in a particular cause can make for an easy conversation starter, especially if you find social settings challenging.

As well as this, volunteering also helps you feel included in a community and fosters a sense of belonging. This, in turn, can lead to improved mental wellbeing.

A field of trees being planted and spades stood upright in the ground

Learn new skills and gain knowledge

Volunteering can be a fantastic way to learn new skills. For young people just starting out in the world of work, it can offer valuable work experience and improve employability. People who volunteer report improved confidence and communication skills, both of which are vital for work and in day-to-day life. For others, it can be an opportunity for professional development. If you’re interested in conservation, for example, volunteering can help you understand the different components and needs of ecosystems in your local area. Gaining experience in new areas can be particularly helpful for people who are considering retraining or switching careers.

A man prunes some fallen logs

Give back

Volunteering is a powerful way to support the causes and communities you care about. Whether it’s to a service you once used, the place you live, or to the community around you, volunteering lets you show care to the causes you support. If you want to ensure nature is protected for the future, or you want to help other people enjoy the countryside, there are lots of projects to get involved with.

When a group of horse riders around Silchester realised that there was a lack of suitable rights of way for them, they started a volunteer project to build a bridleway for them and other riders to enjoy.

You can find out more about that in our video:

Feeling inspired? Visit our website for more information and to get involved. There are lots of opportunities throughout the county to suit lots of different interests. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s going on in the countryside and subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates.

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