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Why Volunteer


Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do for others and yourself. Whether you’ve got an hour a month or more time to spare, there’s a role out there that can fit your life and make a real difference.
 

What’s in it for you?

Research from Time Well Spent 2023 shows that people volunteer for all sorts of reasons, but most say the same thing: they benefit more out of it than they expected.

Volunteering can:

  1. Help you feel more connected and less isolated
  2. Boost your confidence and sense of purpose
  3. Build new skills, or give you the chance to use existing ones
  4. Take a pause from everyday life, and a way to do something meaningful
  5. Research says that volunteering benefits the volunteer as much as the beneficiary

If you are busy or feeling stressful, volunteering can be a great reset, something positive that gives back.

Why volunteering is pivotal in the Jewish Community

Volunteering is a core part of Jewish values. Judaism teaches us to care for others and make the world a better place. Ideas like:

  1. Tikkun Olam – helping to repair the world
  2. Gemilut Chasadim – acts of kindness
  3. Tzedakah – giving time or money to help others
  4. Bikur Cholim – visiting or caring for those in need
  5. Derekh Eretz - the importance of ethical behaviour

These all show us that we have a role to play in looking out for each other. Volunteering builds empathy, dignity, and communal cohesion. Giving your time is a meaningful way to live out these values.

As Rabbi Sacks (z’’l) said,” Volunteering helps change the world because it changes us.”

How JVN helps you get started

We’re here to make finding the right volunteer role easy and enjoyable. Whether you want to do something once a month, every week, or just try something new, we can support you.

We’ll help connect you with roles that:

  1. Fit your interests and availability
  2. Use the skills you enjoy or help you build new ones
  3. Support causes or charity you care about
  4. Connect you with great people

You’ll also receive regular digest newsletters from us, with volunteer roles based on your search criteria. Additionally, our Volunteer Broker, Angie Jacobs is here to support you in finding a role that is right for you.

What happens now?

If you’ve been thinking about volunteering or just want to see what’s out there. Sign up, browse roles, or just drop us a line. We’re here to help you find something that feels right

Using and Learning New Skills

Retirement can be a challenging time for everyone. Volunteering helps to put skills and experience to use in another setting.  You can use existing skills or learn new ones. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, you could become experienced in a new field, as a mentor for a children’s charity, a gardener or an administrator, without feeling the pressure of a working environment.

According to Melanie, one of JVN’s volunteers:

 

Many volunteers enjoy using their existing skills to benefit the wider community. After a rewarding career in IT Mike, decided to use his expertise by helping various charities with their computer needs. The flexibility suited him and gave him “structure without the stress.”

Finding Employment

Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as working within a team, problem solving, practising communication and organisational skills necessary for certain jobs. Once these skills have been learnt and practiced as a volunteer you can use them to find and gain employment. The needs of charities are vast and varied and volunteering helps you gain insight into job opportunities in the wider community. Rachel, engagement coordinator at JVN said; 

 

 

Social Benefits

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. If you are new to an area, it helps to strengthen ties to the community and broadens your support network. It gives you the opportunity to practice and develop social skills. For the newly retired it can help replace the gap left by work and the loss of social contact from no longer having a regular employment. Mike, a JVN volunteer says:

 

 

Community Benefits

Giving in simple ways can help you and benefit your community. Befriending, supporting the vulnerable can be a way of giving back to the community or an organisation you may have directly or indirectly been involved in. It deepens our sense of awareness of the community we live in and at the same time makes a difference to the lives of others.

Julian, a JVN volunteer, took semi-retirement and wanted to give back to his local community. He gained a sense of purpose and gratification in helping people of all different ages and abilities.

 

To find your perfect volunteering role, click here>>

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Contact

Jewish Volunteering Network,
Wohl Campus for Jewish Education,
44a Albert Road, London, NW4 2SJ

020 8203 6427 (London & Herts)
07587 792 272 (Manchester)

info@jvn.org.uk
manchester@jvn.org.uk

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