With Mental Health Awareness Week currently taking place (September 27 - October 3) this is an opportune time to highlight how volunteering supports wellbeing.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing, Ētahi ara e rima ki te ngākau ora, help people stay mentally well. Widely promoted by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and WellSouth, these five actions can be introduced into a person’s life at any time to feel the benefits and many can be achieved through volunteering.

Connect, me whakawhanaunga, Give, tukua, Keep learning, me ako tonu, Be active, me kori tonu, Take notice, me aro tonu.

‘Volunteering and being involved with your community is strongly linked with feeling good and functioning well.’ states the Mental Health Foundation. 

The team at Kaitūao o te Taitonga | Volunteer South wholeheartedly agree.

Volunteer South supports, strengthens and promotes volunteering. 

They connect volunteers to organisations seeking support, offer training and advice to such organisations and celebrate volunteer activities.

There are a wide range of volunteer roles for people to get involved with in the region, so whichever of the five actions volunteers are looking to take, there will be a role that will benefit wellbeing.

Volunteering can positively influence mental health. Photo: LUMA Southern Light Project.

“Volunteering ticks all the boxes when it comes to improving wellbeing,” says Volunteer South’s Lynda Marnie. 

“Volunteers ‘give’ their time, sharing skills, energy, ideas and passion with local non profit organisations that reap the benefits of their enthusiasm. 

“For volunteers, they gain a sense of purpose, life satisfaction and increase their self - esteem and overall happiness.”

“Volunteering enables people to connect with their community, with people, with the environment and land; helping create stronger communities and improving volunteers’ sense of belonging.”

“Volunteers also have the opportunity to learn new skills, embrace new experiences and discover something new, ticking the ‘keep learning’ box.” 

Additionally, many roles offer the opportunity for volunteers to ‘be active’ - both physically and mentally and when a volunteer reflects on their experience, their volunteering environment, the people around them and how the experience has affected them, then their volunteer experience meets all five of the five ways to wellbeing actions. 

If you are keen to connect with your community through volunteering and help improve your wellbeing, contact Volunteer South who will be happy to help you find a meaningful role in your area. 

Volunteer South - Central Lakes supports, promotes and strengthens volunteering creating stronger more connected communities.