MORE THAN GIVING BACK

HOW VOLUNTEERING CAN SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

This World Mental Health Day, New Park Community Centre is celebrating the people who give their time to help make our community stronger and the many ways volunteering can benefit our own wellbeing too.

When we think about volunteering, we often think about what we are giving: our time, skills, energy and experience. But volunteering can give something back to us, too.

A growing body of research suggests that volunteering can be associated with improved wellbeing, greater life satisfaction and stronger social connections. It can provide a sense of purpose, help people feel connected to their community and create opportunities to meet people they might not otherwise encounter.

At New Park Community Centre, we see this every day. Our volunteers are a vital part of what makes the Centre such a welcoming and vibrant place. From welcoming audiences and ushering at the cinema, helping in the Café Bar and supporting the day-to-day running of the Centre, to gardening, fundraising and taking on trustee roles, there are many ways to get involved.

A REASON TO GET UP AND GET INVOLVED

For some people, volunteering provides a welcome routine and a reason to get out of the house. For others, it is about using skills they already have, learning something new or simply having a place where they feel useful and valued. And for many, it is about people.

Being part of a team can help create friendships and connections, particularly at times in life when it can be easy to feel isolated. As one New Park volunteer puts it:

“I love being part of the New Park community. You get to know people, you feel part of something and there is always someone to have a chat with.”

Another volunteer describes the Centre as feeling like a family:

“There is a real sense of community here. It feels like being part of a family, and everyone has a part to play.”

And perhaps that is one of the most important things about volunteering: you don't have to change the world on your own. Sometimes simply turning up, helping someone, sharing a conversation or making a place feel welcoming can make a difference.

VOLUNTEERING CAN GIVE YOU PURPOSE

Purpose matters to our wellbeing. Having something meaningful to contribute can help us feel that our time and skills have value. It can also provide structure and motivation, whether volunteering is something you do every week, once a month or whenever your circumstances allow.

At New Park, that contribution might mean welcoming people to a film, helping prepare the Café Bar, keeping the gardens looking beautiful or bringing your professional experience to the Centre as a trustee. There is no single definition of a volunteer and there is no single type of person who volunteers.

You might be retired and looking for a new challenge. You might be working but have a few hours to spare. You might be looking to meet people, build confidence, gain experience or simply do something positive for your local community. You might even discover a skill or interest you didn't know you had.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

New Park Community Centre is, at its heart, about people. Every week, hundreds of people come through its doors to learn, create, move, connect and enjoy activities together. Behind the scenes, volunteers help make much of that possible.

That creates a two-way relationship. Volunteers support the Centre and the people who use it. In return, they become part of a community themselves. And that sense of belonging can be particularly important for mental health and wellbeing. Research has found associations between volunteering and improved wellbeing, social connection and life satisfaction. Volunteering with others can also create opportunities to build social networks and reduce feelings of isolation.

It isn't a substitute for professional mental health support when that is needed, but being connected, having purpose and feeling part of something can all be valuable ingredients in a healthy, fulfilling life.

Could you become part of the New Park team?

There are lots of ways to volunteer at New Park Community Centre.

You could:

Share your skills and experience as a trustee, helping shape the future of this much-loved community facility.
Help with the running of the Centre, supporting the team behind the scenes.
Get involved in gardening and grounds, helping look after our beautiful surroundings.
Support fundraising and community activities, helping New Park continue to serve the local community.
Help in the Café Bar, meeting people and helping create the friendly atmosphere New Park is known for.
Become a cinema usher and help welcome audiences to our film screenings.

You don't need to be an expert. You don't need to have lots of spare time. And you certainly don't need to know exactly what you want to do before you get in touch. You simply need to be interested in being part of something.

This World Mental Health Day, why not give something back and see what volunteering gives back to you?

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at New Park Community Centre, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our team. Become part of the New Park community.

Contact our team at New Park to find out about current volunteering opportunities at managers@newparkcentre.org.uk