Community services involve the voluntary contributions of people to meet the needs of others. This includes activities like helping those experiencing mental health crises and providing resources for the unhoused.
Whether it’s picking up trash on the side of the highway or working with animals, community service is a great way to connect with people and build a support network. Here are some of the top benefits of community service:
Improves your social skills
Community service is a great way to meet new people and make friends. It can also be a great opportunity to brush up on old skills or learn new ones. In addition, it can help you improve your communication and organizational skills, which are important qualities for a workplace. You can also use community service as a test run of a career path you are considering, before committing to a long-term commitment.
Whether you are cleaning up a park, fostering homeless animals or providing support to mental health crisis hotlines, the relationships you form while doing your community service will have a lasting impact on your life. It can even change the way you view the world. It fosters greater understanding and appreciation for diversity, and breaks down negative stereotypes.
Builds a support network
As humans, we naturally seek connections and support from others. A community support network can provide emotional encouragement and guidance, as well as practical aid. It also exposes you to a variety of perspectives and expertise, helping you make more informed decisions.
There are four types of community support: Emotional expressions of love, trust and caring; Tangible assistance with day-to-day tasks; Financial help and organisation; Social interaction and companionship. Friends and family members offer emotional support, and charities and non-profit organisations provide specialised help.
If you’re not sure where to start, try finding and trialling a few different community groups. Make sure you choose a group that fits your needs. Also, remember that your support needs may change over time, so it’s important to find a group that will be flexible.
Improves your health
Community health is the holistic approach to treating healthcare issues that involves addressing an area’s environmental, cultural, and social factors. For example, a community health worker might promote nutrition education to help prevent obesity or implement smoking cessation programs.
Another common aspect of community health is identifying resource gaps in the region and developing an intervention plan to close them. This might include establishing community health centers or mobile clinics to provide medical, dental, and mental healthcare services as well as insurance enrollment and translation services.
Besides improving local healthcare, volunteers themselves also gain a number of health benefits. A Carnegie Mellon study found that people who volunteer experience lower rates of depression and higher life satisfaction as well as a decreased risk of high blood pressure.
Helps you find a career
Whether you’re seeking a new career or just starting out, volunteering will give you hands-on experience in an area that may interest you. It can also help you discover new areas of expertise or expose you to fields that you’re not yet familiar with. This can improve your chances of getting hired for a specific career, or simply open up more options down the road.
For example, if you’re interested in moving up the ranks of your current organisation, volunteer to learn more about leadership and management. You can then leverage these skills during interviews and apply them to your current role. In addition, seeking certifications can boost your credibility and make you a more attractive candidate for advancement. This is especially true for fields such as community services, which rely heavily on problem-solving and adaptability.
Creates memorable life experiences
Whether it’s picking up trash on the side of the road or assisting an animal in need, community service is a unique opportunity to brush up on skills that are important for your career. Moreover, it’s an ideal way to test out your interests and figure out what sort of career you want to pursue.
Additionally, it teaches you to be self-disciplined and resilient, and helps you build up your confidence. You’ll also be able to meet people from all over the world and expand your network of friends. The experience will also help you have a well-rounded and expansive worldview, and break down negative stereotypes about different cultures. Ultimately, it can lead to lasting change and change for the better. For instance, volunteers that work in poverty-stricken areas can be the defensive tool that prevent youth from journeying down less savory paths and ultimately reduces crime rates in the community.