Volunteering

Volunteers play a crucial role in community sport and physical activity, without them, a large proportion of grassroots sport and physical activity simply wouldn’t happen. The pandemic has shown the strength and power of volunteers to bring communities together and improve people’s lives.

Sport England’s Active Lives Survey has found that volunteers who give their time for sport and physical activity to happen enjoy many of the health and social benefits associated with actually taking part. Volunteering can help improve your wellbeing by offering opportunities to connect and give something back, which are included within Mind’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

People choose to volunteer for many different reasons, we feel volunteering in sport is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to your local community, and gain skills for your own development, here are some benefits:

• Give your CV a boost – companies like to see someone that has given up their time to volunteer, it shows they are dedicated and enthusiastic. It can also add new skills to your CV if you are thinking of a career change.
• Get back into work – a great way to get a reference, gain new skills and fill gaps on your CV.
• Improve your confidence – you’ll learn new things and do things you might not normally do, this can be a real confidence boost!
• Improve your health – do something active to improve your fitness and mental wellbeing.
• Meet new people – volunteering with other people who are passionate about the same cause as you is a great way to meet like minded people.
• Make a difference- volunteering gives you the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives and local communities.
• Have fun – some volunteering may be tough and require you to deal with difficult issues, but it can also be good fun.

Did you know the number 1 reason people volunteer in sport across Sussex is to give something back.