Youth Voice – Give a little, get a lot

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” (Winston Churchill).

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to become consumed by our busy lives, binge-watching Netflix, or feeling apprehensive about taking on another commitment. However, by overlooking volunteering, we miss out on the profound opportunity to give back and enrich our lives and communities.
For one, volunteering helps to build a strong sense of community. I have met countless amazing individuals in our community from volunteering who I never otherwise would have had the joy and privilege to meet. Volunteering builds new friendships, connections, and neighbours. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with people from different walks of life, helping to build empathy, develop passions and fuel a life of purpose. 

Volunteering is also good for personal wellbeing. There is joy to be gained in being a part of something bigger than yourself. Research shows that volunteering can help counteract the effects of stress and anxiety and increase self-confidence. Helping others makes people feel happier, as giving is a basic human need and behaviour – the more you do it, the better you feel!

Volunteering also helps you take action. In our consumer-oriented entertainment culture and information age, we have what Neil Postman calls “a low information-to-action ratio”. The trend is to spend time consuming endless amounts of content but with little actionable response. We end up knowing a lot about things we can do little about, and not much about things we can significantly impact. Volunteering breaks this cycle by allowing us to take tangible action in our communities. Instead of just forming opinions about politics, sports, or celebrity lives, we can take the time to learn our neighbours’ names, support local food banks, and respond to community needs.

Our community is already rich with volunteers, young and old, who tirelessly work to improve social, physical, educational, and environmental outcomes. Consider 70-year-old Carol, who walks long distances to pick up rubbish across Whangaparāoa Peninsula, 19-year-old Luka, who leads a social football programme for young people on Saturday nights, and 27-year-old Phina, who volunteers doing administrative work for a local charity. These individuals exemplify the spirit of giving and demonstrate the diverse ways one can contribute to the community. 

So in this same spirit, let’s seize the opportunity to give our time and energy, and in doing so create a life filled with purpose and better community.