A fulfilled volunteer is a happy volunteer

So, you managed to land yourself a volunteering opportunity. The people you’re working with are great and you feel like you’re making a difference. But somehow, you can’t seem to shake the nagging feeling that something is missing. Perhaps you feel like you could be gaining so much more from the experience. Want to know how to make the most out of your next volunteering role? Here are a few tips you can follow.

1. Assess your skills and experience

Make a list of things you’re good at. Are you a computer geek? Have a flair for design? By identifying your natural talents and experience, you can put them to good use and add value to your next volunteering activity. There are many different types of volunteering roles out there, so work to your strengths and find one that aligns with your passion and skill set. However, it’s always good to keep in mind the difference between being interested in a role and having the actual skillsets to do it. You shouldn’t exaggerate your abilities just to get into the programme you want or be given more responsibility early on. This could end up doing more harm than good to the community you’re working with.?

2. Identify the client’s needs

Before embarking on your volunteer project, take some time to research the organisation and client group that you will be working with and clarify any doubts that you may have. This will ensure that you know what to expect from the project. Another great way to be more prepared is by doing a needs assessment of the client you will be serving. A needs assessment answers the question of “what does the organisation need?” and “how can I address the gaps and areas for improvement?” It determines what issues need to be resolved and how you can achieve project goals. From there, you can decide what skills and experience you can bring to the table to solve these issues.

3. Identify your goals

Volunteering is a two-way street; you’re able to gain as much as you give. Another good tip is to reflect on your goals and what you hope to gain from the experience. This can be anything from growing your confidence to learning facilitation or time management skills. Most volunteer organisations are genuinely interested in the growth and learning of their volunteers. So don’t be afraid to reach out to them and discuss how they can better facilitate your learning and achieve the goals you set out for yourself. Knowing that you’re gaining something from the project will make the whole experience feel so much more fulfilling and worthwhile.

4. Stay committed

Depending on the type of volunteer work you choose, you might require a level of commitment. Though it might seem time-consuming with our already busy lives, staying committed to volunteering actually has some benefits. Devoting your time and energy to a long-term volunteering project can help you develop valuable skills. Furthermore, when you volunteer consistently with the same community, you can form a stronger bond with them. Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing how both you and the client have grown over the project duration.?

5. Reflect on your experience

Lastly, always reflect after volunteering. Reflection is part of the learning process; it helps you consolidate and review your experience. Chances are, what you experienced will be different from what you initially expected. Perhaps your plan had to change halfway through, or you discovered that the client’s needs were vastly different from what you had predicted. Volunteering can be unexpected. And reflection serves as a tool for you to process everything. To deepen your learning, you can also take the opportunity to discuss your experience with the organisation you’re working with. You’ll be able to gather useful feedback that you apply to your next volunteering project.