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Volunteer Resources in North Simcoe Muskoka Volunteering & Health Facts
Volunteer work improves the well-being of individual volunteers -- by enhancing social support networks. People who leave school early or come from disadvantaged backgrounds, yet volunteer, show levels of psychological well being equal to educated, professional non-volunteers. Because of their relationship to community involvement and social networks, volunteer activities may enhance the benefits of community approaches to health promotion. Social networks provide both emotional benefits and actual assistance in time of need -- volunteering increases social networks. Volunteering can provide people with a strong sense of their own effectiveness, coping abilities, and social usefulness -- resulting in more social activity, better health, lower morality and healthier lifestyles. Volunteering improves self-esteem and confidence -- which is related to reduced blood pressure and improved immune function. People with increased social contacts and stronger support networks have lower premature death rates, less heart disease, and fewer health risk factors. Volunteer organizations positively impact factors that influence health, by encouraging interaction between community members. Volunteering helps individuals form interpersonal ties and develop their social networks. Volunteer activity throughout the adult years promotes healthy aging and activity in older ages. Volunteerism contributes to successful aging by enhancing one's life satisfaction and well-being, sense of purpose, self-confidence, and personal growth. Social participation may not only enhance the support available to individuals, but may also promote health by positively affecting thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Some experts have concluded that the health benefits of social relationships like volunteering, may be as important as health risks such as smoking, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure. Social support is a key reason for the links between volunteering, life satisfaction and health outcomes. Three quarters of volunteers surveyed reported gaining interpersonal skills -- volunteers also developed communication, organizational and managerial skills. Volunteering enhances health because it provides an additional role or identity -- individuals with many interests and roles have increased well being. Participation in voluntary organizations can be a means of developing healthy social environments and healthy communities. Increases in community participation such as membership in voluntary organizations and levels of trust in a community, are reflected in increases in community health. Volunteering provides people with opportunities to enhance their employability, self-esteem, personal coping skills and resources, all of which have health benefits. Promoting healthy aging involves ways in which volunteering can enhance senior's social support networks, contributing to their physical and psychological health. The social environment is a health resource for community residents -- community bonds, social interaction, and relationships that promote co-operation tend to ease the stresses of daily life. Social network size is consistently related to health and well-being -- volunteering increases social networks. Volunteering among seniors in Canada has been linked to improved quality of life, stronger social networks, increased levels of physical activity, and lower mortality rates. Older volunteers contribute more hours of volunteer time annually, on average, than other age groups. Volunteers often report a "helper's high" -- a physical and psychological "feel-good" sensation linked to physiological changes. Youth most often volunteer to improve job opportunities and explore their own abilities -- often resulting in enhanced confidence and self-esteem. Social participation through volunteering is an important element of healthy, integrated and secure communities. One of the key benefits of volunteering for seniors is social support -- many seniors are at risk for social isolation and aging-related stresses.
 PREVIOUSNEXT PetSmart volunteer We have cats in cages and customers to the store can see the cats and this often results in adoptions. Shifts are approximately 3 hours and involve communicating with the public, being respectful to all people, filling out adoption forms,some cleaning and animal handling. All volunteers must abide by PetSmart rules and must read the information manual. CNIB Store Customer Service Volunteer SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES: Within a customer-focused environment, provide information and demonstrate products that enhance the quality of life for those living with vision loss. SUMMARY OF TASKS: 1. At the CNIB office, greet clients and the general public. 2. Identify customer’s needs in order to select appropriate products for demonstration 3. Take orders from shoppers to purchase products from branch stock and via the CNIB catalogue and web-store. 4. Provide information regarding CNIB programs and services. 5. Complete referrals as required. 6. Track and submit volunteer hours monthly to supervisor. 7. Make referral to appropriate CNIB staff if the visitor identifies other service needs or desires to become a donor, etc. Fundraising/Event Volunteer Children Grievance Support |
