Have you been considering volunteering, but not sure if you’re ready to commit your time? Here’s how to tell if you’re volunteer-ready.

1. You’re craving fulfillment outside of work

Have you been in the same role for a while? Are you not being stimulated enough by the nature of the work you are doing? If you feel like you are clocking in and out and it’s leaving you a little uninspired, perhaps volunteering is a good way to achieve more fulfilment. Develop new skills in a volunteering role that differs from your day job or volunteer in an area that aligns with you passion and values, whether that’s animal welfare, young people or community services.

2. You’d love to meet new people

With the rise of working from home, many people are finding themselves disconnected from their work colleagues, communities or struggling to make new friends. If this is you, volunteering could be a great way to meet new people. If you choose companion volunteering or a mentoring role, you’ll get to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and gain new perspectives. In any other volunteer role, you’ll get to work alongside people with similar interests and passions, which is a great recipe for friendship.

3. You’re looking to change up your routine?

If the daily grind is wearing you down, perhaps it’s time to add volunteering to your routine. Event volunteering is a particularly fun way to change up your routine. Plus, you can choose to help out every now and then instead of every week, which keeps things flexible for you.

4. You wish you could make a difference

Do you find yourself reading the news and feeling completely disempowered? Sometimes it may feel like it’s impossible to make a difference in this chaotic world, but volunteering on a community level can be more powerful than you realise. There are countless organisations that assist people with housing, food or support services, and by volunteering with them, you can start to feel like you are making a real difference in your community.

5. You’d love to volunteer if you had the time

Is time the only thing holding you back from volunteering? This is the biggest barrier most people face when it comes to volunteering. While some volunteer organisations require volunteers to put in several shifts a week or to commit for 6 months or more, there are also plenty of opportunities that are more flexible. From remote volunteering to one-off event volunteering opportunities, you might be surprised to see how well volunteering can fit into your life. You can even try volunteering together with your family or friends, so you’re having fun and spending quality time together while making a difference!

If one or more of the above points resonate with you, it’s time to take the plunge and find the right volunteer opportunity for you!