Volunteering: give a little, get a lot
As well as holding some excellent Powertex workshops I’m taking on a new challenge this month as I’ll be volunteering in the gift shop and plant centre at Upton House, a National Trust property near me.
Stunning Upton House was the country retreat of Lord and Lady Bearsted in the 1930s. Lord Bearsted was a philanthropist and avid art collector so I’m really looking forward to getting to know more about the world-renowned artwork on display at the house.
I decided to find a local volunteering opportunity as I have a little more time available and it’s a great way to give back to the community. As I mentioned in last month’s blog, I really value getting out and meeting people, so volunteering at Upton House will give me plenty of opportunity to do that, and to be able to indulge my interest in art too!
Why volunteer?
It can be hard to find the time to volunteer but research has shown that just two or three hours per week gives the most benefits, both to the volunteer and the organisation. Volunteering should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby, not a chore to be ticked off your to-do list.
As well as meeting new people and making friends, volunteering can help you to learn new skills and feel happier and healthier. The trick is to find a volunteering opportunity that makes you happy, so for instance, if you love animals but can’t have a pet of your own, you could volunteer at an animal shelter.
I love the idea that volunteering can reduce stress and improve your mental wellbeing. It provides a great sense of purpose and the phrase ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’ is completely relevant here.
Identify your goals
You will get more out of a volunteering experience if you think about why you want to volunteer and what you would enjoy doing. Try and match up the opportunity with your personality, skillset and interests. Do you want to:
-
Improve your neighbourhood?
-
Meet people from different cultures?
-
Try a new way of working?
-
Be outside and enjoy nature?
Most organisations and community groups welcome volunteers, so think about different places that might offer an interesting opportunity, like theatres, museums, libraries, animal rescue centres, youth clubs, sports teams, churches and historical places and parks.
I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into my latest challenge – having fun, meeting new people and finding out more about the art collection at Upton House. I think I’ll take away some extra creativity and vision that I can bring back to Artistic ReTreats and my Powertex workshops.
If you’d like to explore your passion for craft or try something new, check out all the workshops online and take the plunge!
Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash
