Our Bill (reporter) receives an award for volunteering.

Jackie our local reporter recently in a work capacity was invited to Sunderland AgeUK volunteering event. The Mayor of Sunderland was in attendance and Bill one of our We'ar Shining the light reporters and an ageing well ambassador receive an award for volunteering for Sunderland AgeUK for 5 years. Its inspirational that Bill is supporting our Ageing well community with different organisations.

I have volunteered myself from starting my studies and even though I work full time I still volunteer, with this role at We'ar shining the light as the editor I do on a Monday when I do not work writing articles and checking all the articles from the team. I also volunteer at a local park, and I am secretary for the 'Friends' group. I get so much back from volunteering, and I want to share some of the benefits with you.

Benefits of volunteering

Whether you're studying, starting a career, looking for work or trying to improve your promotion prospects, volunteering can be a great way to learn and develop the skills you need, both practically and personally.

Sometimes life changes leave us a little isolated. Maybe you've recently moved to a new area. Perhaps you've lost a partner. Or you might just have lost touch with people as their circumstances change. Volunteering reconnects you with your community and helps create new friendships that keep loneliness at bay. 

Maybe you've benefited from volunteering services at some time in your life, or you've recently had first-hand experience of the support our NHS can offer. Perhaps you just feel like you've been fortunate, and you'd like to share that with others. Volunteering gives you that opportunity to 'pay it forward' or to give something back. 

We know that keeping active, mentally as well as physically, has a powerful influence over our health and wellbeing. More than 80 per cent of volunteer's report that the volunteering they do has improved their mental health and sense of wellbeing. Almost half think it's improved their physical health.

Sometimes life can knock your confidence, for example losing a job or needing extended time off work. Sometimes people are just a little shy and want to improve their personal skills. Volunteering gives you a change to find your feet in your own time and at your own pace, allowing you to build your confidence in a way that works for you.

Every individual has their own reason for volunteering and their own ideas about what it will do for them. There's no right or wrong approach, it's all about exploring the opportunities on offer and finding the one you know is right for you. 

The most important thing about volunteering is that you should enjoy it on your own terms and that it's a rewarding experience for you, as well as for the people you help.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer you could become an Ageing well ambassadors if you are passionate about making a difference for our ageing population.

If you are interested fill in this short form and we will be in touch

https://forms.office.com/r/Dry5GrWfjB

There are also lots of other opportunities here:

https://getvolunteering.co.uk/places/tyne-and-wear/sunderland