AS we begin Volunteers Week (June 2-8), Andrew Brookes from Mind in West Essex writes about the importance of the charity’s volunteers and the mental health benefits of volunteering…

Volunteering plays a vital role in the fight for mental health in Harlow and across West Essex. It not only provides indispensable support to the work of charities like us but can also have significant mental health benefits for volunteers themselves.

Volunteers underpin our Peer Support and Befriending services, run community groups and activities, assist our admin team, provide financial coaching, and more. Not to mention the nine trustees who are responsible for running the charity!

We currently have around 90 people regularly volunteering for Mind in West Essex in some capacity – and that’s not counting people who lend a helping hand on an ad hoc basis, such as at events.

Many of our volunteers are Befrienders, supporting people who may otherwise be lonely and isolated through regular in-person meetings and phone calls. Our Befrienders alone volunteer for a combined 286 hours a month on average!

When we ask our volunteers what they enjoy about their roles, certain words and phrases often come up: making a difference, helping others, meeting new people, feeling good, friendship, interaction, connection…

While volunteering helps people in need, supports local organisations and strengthens communities, it can also be a rewarding and valuable experience for yourself.

Among other benefits like learning new skills, gaining experience and boosting employment prospects, volunteering can improve your mental wellbeing.

Using your time to assist others can give you a sense of purpose and a feeling of self-worth, help you meet new people and build your self-esteem and confidence.

Connecting with people through volunteering can provide a greater sense of belonging, a source of shared experiences and emotional support, and it can help reduce stress, depression, anxiety and loneliness.

Simply put, giving to others and making a difference creates positive feelings – and who doesn’t want to feel good? If you’d like to get involved, there are more ways to volunteer than you might think.

We are currently looking for Befriending volunteers in the Harlow area. Befrienders receive training and support to give you the confidence and knowledge you need for the role.

You can visit MindInWestEssex.org.uk/get-involved/ to find out more about volunteering with us, see opportunities that are available and apply.