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According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), around 25 million people in England volunteer at least once a year. Volunteering not only strengthens communities, it also brings personal benefits, including improved wellbeing and social connection. The Highgate Society was pleased to host its second annual Volunteer Fair on Saturday, March 22.
The event brought together 12 local organisations, each with a stall and volunteers on hand to speak to everyone who dropped in about their work and how to get involved. Footfall was steady during the afternoon, and we had many useful conversations. The groups represented a wide cross-section of civic life, including the Friends of Highgate Library, the Friends of Waterlow Park, and Harington, a local charity helping young adults.
On the Highgate Society stall, conversations ranged from guerrilla gardening and monthly tidy-ups to the planning committee and our sustainable living group. Sarah Thomas discussed a wide range of topics at the Volunteers Fairs (Image: Sarah Thomas) Research by NCVO shows that volunteering has never been more relevant. In a busy global city like London, it’s easy to feel disconnected from where we live, but regular volunteers say they feel more satisfied with their local area, and 75% report benefits to their own mental and physical health.
For many, volunteering fosters a sense of purpose. People volunteer for many reasons: to make a difference, to help others, or simply to give something back. Volunteering can take many forms, and volunteer organisations can offer a structure and shared purpose for anyone who wants to make a difference.
At the same time, NCVO’s research highlights some challenges: for example, younger volunteers often see volunteering as a way to build skills and be positive for future careers, but they can feel less satisfied with their experience. It is vital to recognise the time and skills a volunteer can commit. Flexibility and openness to what volunteers can offer are key to making volunteering inclusive and rewarding.
We want to thank all the organisations that participated in the event, the volunteers who helped run it and everyone who came along. If you missed it, get in touch via our website at Highgatesociety.com and we will try to match you with one of the many great local voluntary groups.
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