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Welcome to VolunteeringVolunteering is characterised as;
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Always wanted to volunteer but didn't know how to start?
At Hastings Neighbourhood Services, we always welcome volunteers eager to contribute to our various programs and services. Volunteers are the cornerstone of our organisation, and their presence is crucial for the delivery of our programs.
Our volunteer management and recruitment service, the Volunteer Resource Centre (VRC) also places volunteers in other not for profit community services in the Port Macquarie region, so we are well placed to find the right fit volunteer role for you.
The VRC is funded by and aligned with the volunteering state peak body, The Centre for Volunteering, and we take pride in adhering to the National Standards for Volunteering. Our goal is to provide a fulfilling experience for our volunteers, where they feel appreciated, heard and supported.
Our volunteer management and recruitment service, the Volunteer Resource Centre (VRC) also places volunteers in other not for profit community services in the Port Macquarie region, so we are well placed to find the right fit volunteer role for you.
The VRC is funded by and aligned with the volunteering state peak body, The Centre for Volunteering, and we take pride in adhering to the National Standards for Volunteering. Our goal is to provide a fulfilling experience for our volunteers, where they feel appreciated, heard and supported.
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People choose to volunteer for various reasons, and you may find one that resonates with you from the list below:
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Finding the right volunteering role for you
Regardless of background, skills, experience or the amount of time you have for volunteering, there are different roles to suit everyone.
The first step to get ready is to think about:
The first step to get ready is to think about:
- the type of volunteering you would like to do
- your interests and passions, and the types of organisations you'd like to volunteer with
- what you hope to get from the volunteer experience
- how much time you give as a volunteer
- how regularly you want to volunteer, for example one-off, weekly or monthly.
The Volunteer Experience
If you would like to have a better understanding of volunteering, we encourage you to read through the slide show below, "The Volunteer Experience". It has been specifically designed for potential volunteers to help them understand what is involved in taking on a volunteer role. We also hope it will build your confidence on taking on a volunteer role by explaining what you can expect from the organisation that you choose, and what they will expect from you in return.
Volunteering is incredibly rewarding so once you have completed the slide show and given your feedback in the link below, give us a call and we can get you started on your volunteer journey.
If you would like to have a better understanding of volunteering, we encourage you to read through the slide show below, "The Volunteer Experience". It has been specifically designed for potential volunteers to help them understand what is involved in taking on a volunteer role. We also hope it will build your confidence on taking on a volunteer role by explaining what you can expect from the organisation that you choose, and what they will expect from you in return.
Volunteering is incredibly rewarding so once you have completed the slide show and given your feedback in the link below, give us a call and we can get you started on your volunteer journey.
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Course written and supplied by:
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The Volunteer Experience - An Introduction to Volunteering
The Research Is in:- Volunteering Boosts Happiness
If you want to be happier, volunteering may be just what you need. Volunteering offers more than an opportunity to give back and contribute to your community—it can give you a new sense of purpose and improve your overall well-being.
An Infusion of Happiness
Engaging in acts of kindness through volunteering triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. A study in The Journal of Happiness Studies found that volunteers had higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. It’s also been reported that regular volunteering is associated with lower cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone, in older adults. This physiological response suggests that volunteering not only makes us feel good in the moment but also contributes to long-term stress reduction.
A Sense of Purpose and Self-Esteem
Contributing time and skills to causes that matter to you has been shown to increase feelings of purpose and self-esteem. A recent study found that 96% of volunteers reported that volunteering enhanced their sense of purpose. Ninety-four percent said that it helped improve their mood and sense of well-being. Volunteering allows individuals to use their strengths and talents in meaningful ways, fostering a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.
Making Connections
One of the biggest barriers to happiness is social isolation and loneliness, which has become a worldwide “epidemic.” Making friends can be difficult, especially for older adults. Hastings Neighbourhood Services is committed to fostering connections and cultivating relationships to promote health and happiness. We offer tips and resources to help you get started in making those essential connections, including volunteering. Volunteering brings people together, providing opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests and passions. These social connections can lead to lasting friendships and a supportive community network.
Mental and Physical Health Benefits
Beyond the immediate boost to happiness, volunteering has been linked to various mental and physical health benefits. Volunteering with and for others increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common commitment and interests—both of which have been shown to decrease depression. Additionally, the physical activity involved in many volunteer roles can improve cardiovascular health, mobility, and overall physical fitness.
Volunteering offers a pathway to greater happiness, a sense of purpose, and enhanced well-being. By giving your time and energy to causes you care about, you not only improve the lives of others but also enrich your own life in meaningful ways. For those looking for opportunities to get involved, AARP offers a variety of volunteer programs tailored to different interests, passions, and skills. Visit aarp.org/volunteer to find an opportunity that suits you.
An Infusion of Happiness
Engaging in acts of kindness through volunteering triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. A study in The Journal of Happiness Studies found that volunteers had higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. It’s also been reported that regular volunteering is associated with lower cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone, in older adults. This physiological response suggests that volunteering not only makes us feel good in the moment but also contributes to long-term stress reduction.
A Sense of Purpose and Self-Esteem
Contributing time and skills to causes that matter to you has been shown to increase feelings of purpose and self-esteem. A recent study found that 96% of volunteers reported that volunteering enhanced their sense of purpose. Ninety-four percent said that it helped improve their mood and sense of well-being. Volunteering allows individuals to use their strengths and talents in meaningful ways, fostering a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.
Making Connections
One of the biggest barriers to happiness is social isolation and loneliness, which has become a worldwide “epidemic.” Making friends can be difficult, especially for older adults. Hastings Neighbourhood Services is committed to fostering connections and cultivating relationships to promote health and happiness. We offer tips and resources to help you get started in making those essential connections, including volunteering. Volunteering brings people together, providing opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests and passions. These social connections can lead to lasting friendships and a supportive community network.
Mental and Physical Health Benefits
Beyond the immediate boost to happiness, volunteering has been linked to various mental and physical health benefits. Volunteering with and for others increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common commitment and interests—both of which have been shown to decrease depression. Additionally, the physical activity involved in many volunteer roles can improve cardiovascular health, mobility, and overall physical fitness.
Volunteering offers a pathway to greater happiness, a sense of purpose, and enhanced well-being. By giving your time and energy to causes you care about, you not only improve the lives of others but also enrich your own life in meaningful ways. For those looking for opportunities to get involved, AARP offers a variety of volunteer programs tailored to different interests, passions, and skills. Visit aarp.org/volunteer to find an opportunity that suits you.
What Comes Next?
REGISTER WITH US
The Volunteer Resource Centre can provide you with all the help needed to get you started on your volunteer journey. All you need to do is Register with us below and one of our friendly Volunteer Resource Centre team members will be in touch to help start the search to find that perfect role.
The Volunteer Resource Centre can provide you with all the help needed to get you started on your volunteer journey. All you need to do is Register with us below and one of our friendly Volunteer Resource Centre team members will be in touch to help start the search to find that perfect role.
FIND A VOLUNTEER ROLE
Finding the right volunteer position for you is based on the skills you bring and the causes you are passionate about. We believe finding the right role is the key to ensuring that your volunteer experience is everything they were hoping for and leads to a long and happy association with the not-for-profit organisation you volunteer with. Check out our current job vacancies on our Volunteer Vacancies page.
Finding the right volunteer position for you is based on the skills you bring and the causes you are passionate about. We believe finding the right role is the key to ensuring that your volunteer experience is everything they were hoping for and leads to a long and happy association with the not-for-profit organisation you volunteer with. Check out our current job vacancies on our Volunteer Vacancies page.
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Still not sure, pick up the phone and call on 6584 1917 or email us at [email protected] so we can help answer any questions you may still have. Otherwise, send us a message below.
Still not sure, pick up the phone and call on 6584 1917 or email us at [email protected] so we can help answer any questions you may still have. Otherwise, send us a message below.
Funded By:
Hastings Neighbourhood Services
We embrace diversity and welcome all.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
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Incorporated as Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre since March 1978
Trading as an Australian Business No: 89592910624 since July 2000 Copyright HNS
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