The generally accepted view among voluntary organisations, the general public and often the unemployed themselves is that volunteering can have a significant impact in the search for paid employment. Volunteering can serve as an important alternative to paid work for those with disabilities or long-term illnesses as it can help maintain self-worth and provide vital social contact with others in the community.
Undertaking some form of volunteering during unemployment brings with it many personal and social benefits, even if it does not lead to paid work. It helps to build positive attitudes to work and can increase the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the workplace. If the volunteer has been unemployed for a while getting used to the requirements to be punctual and reliable will be useful abilities to develop as will interacting with colleagues on a regular basis. There may be the opportunity to engage in further studies or gain qualifications whilst volunteering which would be beneficial when applying for jobs.
The type of volunteering work that is on offer varies considerably but whether it be helping out in a charity shop, sorting donations or serving customers or working on environmental projects in the local area the social benefits of getting involved in this way are worthwhile.