Volunteering
The 2022 Director of Public Health report emphasised the importance of social connections in Gloucestershire, reminding us that no person is an island.
Volunteering plays a key role in fostering belonging.
It’s not just about helping others but also about making friends, enjoyment, boosting confidence and improving skills.
Volunteering benefits everyone, including the employers.
For refugees and asylum seekers:
- it’s a great way to connect with their new community, building relationships, meeting local residents, making friends and developing a support network
- it helps to adjust to life in the UK, providing a sense of belonging
- it helps prepare for future work, improving employment prospects through skill development
- it offers a sense of purpose, which can significantly improve mental health and wellbeing
- it provides a hope and motivation to prepare longer-term plans
Volunteering also:
- Boosts physical and mental health
- Combats loneliness
- Builds confidence
- Provides language practice
- Creates job opportunities
- Enhances CVs
- Provides valuable experience for interviews
- Develops cultural understanding
Maha arrived in the UK with limited English skills and volunteered at a charity shop in Gloucester. Her experiences increased her confidence and improved her language ability. She was then able to apply for and secure a job in health care.
Maksym volunteered with the Bike Project. He learnt to work with others, gained skills and was rewarded with the bonus of taking away a bike that he has been able to rebuild for his own use.