💪 The Power of Giving Back: How Volunteering Benefits Both People and Communities

📅 Volunteers’ Week: Monday 2nd – 6th June

🤝 As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we’re reminded of a truth we see every day at Bristol Charities: real change comes from small, consistent acts of kindness, from showing up, from listening, from lending a hand. Volunteering is the nucleus of our community Hubs, it powers everything we do, from the Food & Lunch Clubs at Vassall Community Hub to the forest clearing and community celebration at Stockwood Community Hub.

🌱 This year marks a new chapter for us. Behind the scenes, a renewed energy around volunteering at Bristol Charities has been led by the incredible Polly Tisdall who has worked tirelessly to build a volunteering department that puts people and purpose first. Polly has nurtured every part of the process, creating fertile ground where community contribution can take root and grow.

As Polly puts it:

 “Volunteering should feel like a joyful, meaningful exchange – not a one way street. We’re building a volunteering programme rooted in flexibility, respect, and a real sense of belonging. It’s about creating pathways for everyone to contribute in ways that work for them.”

📣 Join Us: Lend a Hand Drop-In Event
 📍 The Vassall Hub
 🗓️ Wednesday 5th June | 2:00pm – 3:30pm

🌟 To mark Volunteers’ Week, we’re inviting you to be part of this wonderful community. We’re hosting our Lend A Hand Drop-In Event at The Vassall Hub, open to anyone curious about volunteering with Bristol Charities. Whether you’re looking to lend a few hours or develop longer-term skills, this is a relaxed, welcoming opportunity to meet the team, explore roles, and discover how you can make a difference. We promise to bring tassel and get the kettle on and share our homemade cakes.

No previous experience is necessary, and staff will be on hand to show people how to get involved.

The Vassall Community Hub is a vibrant community space supporting people in Oldbury Court and the surrounding area. Volunteers play a key role in the Hub’s weekly activities, which include drop-in lunches, support sessions, food support, and more.

🏘️ Volunteer Roles at a Glance:

• 🍲 Soup & Social Welcome Volunteers – Thursdays, 11:00 am–2:00 pm
   Support weekly drop-ins with soup, drinks, conversation, and signposting.
• 📢 Promotions & Events Volunteers – Flexible, Wed/Fri
   Help distribute posters and promote events locally.
• 🛒 Food Club Delivery Volunteers– Wednesdays, 9:30 am–1:00 pm
   Assist with food deliveries and the weekly Food Club.
• 🍽️ Lunch Club Volunteers – Tuesdays, 11:00 am–3:00 pm
   Welcome and serve older people at our weekly lunch event.

🧩 At Bristol Charities, volunteering isn’t about filling a gap – it’s about opening a door. For our volunteers, it often leads to renewed purpose, new friendships, and a deeper connection to Bristol. It can be the lifeline that turns a difficult day into a hopeful one.

🧬 Indeed, a growing body of research shows that giving time to help others has powerful benefits for both individuals and the communities they serve. People who volunteer regularly report higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and may even live longer. Volunteering has been linked to a reduction in depression and an increase in overall well-being, particularly among older adults. In fact, studies suggest that volunteering can even extend life expectancy, thanks to its positive effects on mental and physical health.

🌐 Volunteering also helps reduce loneliness and isolation by encouraging social interaction and the development of supportive relationships – key factors for maintaining mental health and resilience. The ripple effects of volunteering extend far beyond the individual. Communities benefit from greater social cohesion, stronger networks, and a shared sense of purpose.

❤️ In short, volunteering is a win-win: it empowers individuals and strengthens society. Whether you’re looking to give back, feel more connected or develop a skillset, the benefits of volunteering are both immediate and long-lasting.

So, this Volunteers’ Week, we invite you to take that first step. Whether it’s by joining us on June 5th, signing up for a role, or simply sharing this with someone who might be looking to give back and get stuck in – you’re helping us build a more resilient, compassionate city.

👉 Want to join in and roll your sleeves up?

We’d love to have you!

References:

Key studies and articles supporting the benefits of volunteering:

🧠 Mental Health & Well-being

• Increased Life Satisfaction and Reduced Depression: A 2020 UK study found that individuals who volunteered reported higher life satisfaction and better mental health compared to non-volunteers. NAMI National Alliance on Mental Health
• Lower Risk of Depression in Older Adults: Research published in the Journal of Gerontology indicated that older adults who volunteered were 27% less likely to develop depression. greensborobar.org
• Volunteering and Happiness: A study in The Journal of Happiness Studies found that volunteers had higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Create the Good

🤝 Social Connection & Reduced Isolation

• Enhanced Social Connectedness: Volunteering fosters social connections and combats isolation. socialconnectionguidelines.org
• Combating Loneliness in Older Adults: Volunteering helps older adults maintain active social roles, reducing feelings of isolation and benefiting mental and physical health. ScienceDirect

⏳ Longevity & Physical Health

• Reduced Mortality Risk: A meta-analysis found that volunteering reduced mortality risk by 24% after adjusting for various factors. PubMed
• Slower Biological Aging: Volunteering for as little as one hour a week is associated with slower biological aging, especially in older adults. Health

🌱 Personal Growth & Leadership

• Development of Leadership Skills: Volunteering develops essential skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving, which are highly valued by employers. AP News
• Professional Advancement: A report from Pro Bono Economics and the Royal Voluntary Service highlights that professional-level volunteers increase their salaries by an average of £2,300 and contribute to an annual productivity gain of around £4.6 billion. TheTimes.co.uk

🏘️ Community Impact

• Strengthened Social Cohesion: Volunteering enhances social cohesion, fostering a sense of solidarity and connection within communities. Phys.org
• Improved Access to Services: Community health volunteers can help improve access to and use of essential health services by communities, especially in low- and middle-income countries. PMC