Wellbeing and the volunteer

Many people seek to improve their wellbeing through volunteering, whether that is through a better ‘work–life balance’, or that ‘fuzzy feeling’ that comes with helping other people. Although wellbeing is difficult to define, individuals, communities and governments pursue it. The wellbeing of volunteers is essential to the flourishing of the sector. Volunteers with disabilities can face additional barriers, which has a knock-on impact on their wellbeing. The UK Government acknowledges the significant financial value of volunteer wellbeing yet currently offers no contribution towards the reasonable adjustments needed by some volunteers with disabilities. Investing in volunteer wellbeing has the potential to improve individuals’ wellbeing and that of volunteering communities, beneficiaries and even societal wellbeing. This support is needed by the charitable organisations sector at a time when it is delivering more services with less money.