The Role of Volunteers

The role of volunteers in today's modern society cannot be underestimated. They play a huge part in the running of our communities, both on a local and national level.

Volunteers come from all walks of life, are of all ages and help society in many different ways. The reasons why people volunteer also vary massively from one person to the next. But volunteering makes for a better community all round - both because of what those volunteers achieve and the types of skills they learn while doing their unpaid jobs.

The Economic Role of Volunteers

It is impossible to put a price on volunteers and the role of volunteers but it is safe to say that they save the economy millions and millions of pounds a year. The jobs that are done by volunteers range from highly specialised to mundane and boring - but all are jobs that need doing.Many of them would have to be done without volunteers and therefore, someone would have to be paid to achieve the same aim.

Some jobs of course, would simply not get done if there were no volunteers to do them. This is why it is impossible to put a price on volunteers because they add something which is priceless - the willingness to get tasks done with no financial compensation.

Getting Things Done

Because volunteers are carrying out their tasks because they want to be there rather than because they need the money, it is safe to assume that jobs are going to get done. These people would not be wasting their time if they did not want to be there and make a difference to whichever organisation they are volunteering for. therefore, the level of efficiency is bound to be high and results will be good.

Helping Society

Of course, the main role of volunteers is to help society in whatever way they set out to do. The benefit to society of this is enormous. From helping elderly people and vulnerable people, to protecting habitats for wildlife, all of these jobs are done by volunteers. As well as helping people, these volunteers also bring a sense of community chosen and community working together to places.

People feel as though other people care because of volunteering and the importance of this cannot be underestimated. And a well-functioning society has numerous other benefits as people feel like there are others to look out for them and ward off danger.

Skills

Volunteers can often pick up many skills as they go along and become proficient in something, which they originally had no idea how to do. This then means that they can take their new found skills back to the workplace o to other voluntary organisations and help to make a difference elsewhere. In addition, if volunteers do not have many skills or qualifications to start with, they can better themselves by volunteering, thus improving their own quality of life.

The role of volunteers is vital and it would not be exaggerating to say that society would fall apart without them. Just think of all the places volunteers work - our hospitals, fire stations, police stations. They run shops, go shopping, change beds. They clear landscapes and help to save endangered animals. The scope of volunteering is vast and can rightly be considered to be the third sector, such are the benefits it brings.