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The Benefits of Volunteering at People Speak Up

Posted on Jun 08, 2023
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By Peter Wyn Mosey
Peter Wyn Mosey participates in People Speak Up Projects, including Story Care and Share, People Sing Up, and Spoken Word Saturday. 

As a growing social, mental health, arts, health and well-being charity, People Speak Up is reliant on a committed team of volunteers who give their time and energy in a variety of ways. This includes providing support within the various groups, helping out with food and refreshments, and making home visits so everyone can access PSU’s services.

If you’ve attended any of the groups and activities run by PSU, you’ve probably witnessed first-hand the amazing work that many of the volunteers do.

Carys Phillips, PSU’s Projects Coordinator, said this:

"Volunteers play a key role in People Speak Up. They contribute such positivity to the projects in many ways. We are so grateful for the work and time that they put into the organisation, and this is always reflected by the feedback that we receive from participants. We couldn't do what we do without them!"

But volunteering doesn’t just benefit People Speak Up. There are many great reasons to get involved with a cause you feel passionate about.

If you’re considering volunteering, take a look at these potential benefits of offering up your time, energy, and skills.

Give Back to the Community

For many, the primary reason to start volunteering is to give back to the community. For some, the organisation works toward an important cause or provides services the volunteer has a strong admiration for.

Often, people choose to give their time and energy to an organisation that has helped them or a family member in the past, so the cause is close to their heart.

Stephen Karl Treharne volunteers for PSU. He said this:

"I volunteered for PSU because I wanted to give back to this wonderful community of people who have given me and Louise a voice to speak up on what we have gone through in our own lives."

Give You a Sense of Purpose

We all feel adrift in life at times. Having a sense of purpose can motivate you and give you a reason to get up in the morning. Volunteering gives you something to look forward to and a sense of purpose. Seeing how others benefit from the work you’re doing often provides the spark needed to continue.

Stephanie Simms volunteers by doing home visits and helps out at PSU group sessions. She believes she brings "an ear" and "the ability to empathise." She believes volunteers should "be cheerful and commiserate when necessary."

Boost Your Confidence and Self-Esteem

Life can knock your confidence. You may have experienced difficult periods where you’ve experienced poor health, bereavement, or a big change like a relocation. Career setbacks could have caused you to doubt your self-worth. Or, you may be a naturally shy person.

Whatever the reason for your lack of confidence, volunteering can help. Helping out as a volunteer, you can work at your own pace without the same pressures of a traditional work environment.

As you get used to your volunteering role, you may find that your confidence and self-esteem start growing. The natural sense of pride and identity you develop through volunteering can take you a long way.

Kris Grogan started as a volunteer but now works for People Speak Up: “When I started as a volunteer, I was coming out of a bad place. Having the chance to help others really helped me on my personal journey and, from there, gave me the confidence to go to university”

Gain Valuable Work Experience

If you’ve never had a job, haven’t worked for a while, or you’re looking for a career change, volunteering is a great way to get valuable work experience.

Many of the skills you could develop as a volunteer are transferable to a range of jobs. You’ll develop soft skills like teamwork, adaptability, time management, and communication which are useful in any work environment.

Additionally, if you want to work in the arts or wellbeing sectors, volunteering at People Speak Up could be a stepping stone. Some of the facilitators at PSU actually started out as volunteers themselves.

Often, employees like to see periods of volunteering on CVs as it demonstrates that you are motivated, open-minded, and compassionate.

Develop New Skills

For some people, volunteering is about sharing pre-existing skills and giving an organisation the benefits of their experience. It might be that you have specific skills that you believe could prove useful.

Stephen Karl Treharne has helped PSU in various ways, giving support in groups, and making food; he said: "I bring a set of my own experiences to PSU and a lot of past knowledge which has fitted in quite well."

On the other hand, volunteering is a great way to try something new. Pushing yourself toward new experiences and challenges is a great way to develop new skills while honing existing ones.

Be Part of a Team

Many of the volunteering roles within People Speak Up involve working with others. Building connections and working toward a common purpose with other team members can feel good.

Teamwork helps you build trust in other people. As a team, you may feel able to try something new with the support of others, and it can improve your creativity and problem-solving skills.

Meet New People

People Speak Up runs a variety of activities and groups aimed at all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. With sessions aimed at fostering creative writing and storytelling, singing, arts and crafts, as well as groups for young people over 50s, men, and those with dementia and neurological conditions. In addition, PSU works in the local community, running street play sessions for children, working with school groups and care homes, and offering on-prescription arts-based services for people in their own homes.

The breadth of activities offered by People Speak Up means that, as a volunteer, you could meet new people from all parts of the community that you might not otherwise connect with. Volunteering is an opportunity to build your local network and make new friends. The sense of community is invaluable.

Stephen Karl Treharne said: "When I volunteer at PSU, I want to give support because it fills my heart with joy, but I find that when you give support, you are also receiving support back"

The reason Stephanie Simms says she volunteers is: "fulfilment and meeting people—And knowing that you are helping - they benefit as well!."

Improve Your Mental Well-Being

When all of the benefits of volunteering combine, they can have a positive effect on your mental health. Being in regular contact with others within the community helps you feel connected, while the self-esteem boost developing new skills and the feeling of purpose you’ll get from volunteering can help you manage mental health problems like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Improve Your Physical Well-Being

Volunteering doesn’t just help your mental health; it can improve your physical well-being too. Often, volunteering roles encourage you to get out and about more and become more active.

Some volunteering roles are more active than others, so don’t be put off finding out how you can help out —there are ways people of all abilities can volunteer.

Volunteering Opportunities at People Speak Up

People Speak Up needs you. There is currently a range of volunteer opportunities available, including supporting the team running the growing selection of groups run at the Ffrwnes Fach and providing valuable home visits.

If you’d like to get involved in any way, drop an email to info@peoplespeakup.co.uk