Is volunteering good or bad?

My sister and I were just discussing today how cool it would be to go volunteering abroad for a year after graduation. Of course, as long as it's safe I personally don't see anything wrong with doing it if you can afford to take some time off. Better to go with someone than going alone but I'm sure you'll make friends with the other volunteers from the UK.



To answer your question directly volunteering is GOOD. Giving your time is always better than giving your money imo.

I was thinking about going to Tanzania to volunteer with Raleigh International and I was just wondering, is it a good life experience?

The idea of helping others to make a meaningful impact on their lives appeals to me, so to anyone who's done it, what's it like?

Volunteering is a good thing.

Have you done it by any chance?

Not abroad.
But i have volunteered at a local brownie group for 7 1/2 years.
During this time, i completed the leadership qualification, so i can run the group. Im even going to be taking over the group when the current leader steps down (she is nearly 65). Im working towards my overnight and camp licences, so i can take the girls on sleepovers and camping. Im also looking into doing the queens guide award- which is the highest award you can get in girlguiding- higher than the duke of Edinburgh award.
I also helped set up a local rainbows group and helped to set up until they had enough leaders.
I have also helped with guides- once taking them to wembley to see people such as pixie lott, olly murs, rizzle kicks, etc etc etc

I volunteer, (not abroad or anything, just locally), and I will honestly say that it is a good thing. You make friends, open your social life more, help others who need help and it's useful, fun and looks great on your CV. So yeah, defo a good thing.

Volunteering (sanctuary) is probably one of the best things I have ever done. I take the most pride out of volunteering, and strangely I often enjoy it more than anything else. i.e - I've worked in a cafe before, it was a job. Volunteering in the sanctuary cafe, I'm always happy, it isn't at all a chore and I take real joy out of it every single time. It's a funny thing. P: As a whole it's great life experience, really shows you so many new 'worlds' whether that's through socialising with people you wouldn't otherwise, through getting your hands dirty, or learning new skills or developing goals etc.

With volunteering abroad, just be sure that you want to do it for the right reasons. I know people who have gone to third world countries 'volunteering' and honestly, it seems as though it's just so they can post Facebook photos of them being 'selfless', and there's so much appropriation. This isn't every case, but I think it's a few of them, and it really sours the whole meaning of volunteering in struggling societies. So just have a clear goal in mind, know why you're going and stick to that. It's fine to revel in the novelty of it all, but there's a line where these things sometimes just become exploitation and crap on the real concept of volunteering there. Or, maybe I'm just being cynical. (;

No, I see where you're coming from. Maybe I'll just do local volunteering

Haha no I didn't mean to put you off with it - I'm sure you're legit. (; It's just something that I think a lot of people do more because it's 'cool' lately, that was more a little rant I had than anything particularly applicable to you and your volunteering plans. I also know many who have said it is life-changing, for very positive reasons. It would be a brilliant experience, if you want to do it - go for it.

It's great for your confidence and you'll make loads of friends - I highly recommend any form of volunteering it's done me the world of good and has made me a more well rounded person