Embracing Volunteerism In The Recession

Even with today's economic circumstances, some people are still willing to give freely of their time and talents. Volunteering can be especially useful for persons who have lost their jobs due to redundancy. As the world economy contracts, an increasing number of people are losing their jobs. Volunteering can provide an opportunity for people without jobs to still feel useful.

For those who have lost their jobs or who have retired, volunteering can give them a new lease on life. It gives them a reason for getting out of bed. Some people also find that getting involved in volunteer activities help them to maintain or develop good work ethics.

Working on a community project can mean leaving one's country for another. Or the project can be right in an individual's neighborhood or country.

Community projects can be major undertakings, such as renovating a school or hospital. In other cases they can be as simple as reading for children in a hospital or shelter.

Knowing who to contact to start or assist with a community project is important. The contact person depends on the type of project and where the project will be undertaken. This initial contact is especially important if it involves overseas travel. In most cases, volunteering for community projects is done through a nongovernmental (NGO) agency.

Volunteers can also start their own community project if they see something that needs to be done. It could be an attempt to help families or people struggling due to job losses resulting from the recession.

If you are thinking of starting your own community project, you will also need to know where to find funding. Government agencies, organisations such as UNICEF and non-governmental entities sometimes fund projects. While on the lookout for volunteers, it is necessary to be wary of people looking for ways to pad their resumes.

There are many benefits to volunteering for community that would be useful to persons who have lost their jobs. Some of these benefits can also be applied to new school leavers as well. Some of the positives resulting from volunteering include:

o Gaining new experiences: Working on a new project, especially one that takes place in a different area does have benefits. It could be a chance to gain work experience. The new skills acquired could lead to a new career or job in a field that wasn't previously considered. The gaining of new experiences is even more relevant if the project is undertaken in a foreign country. Don't forget to take photographs with some of you in the photographs as evidence!

o Networking opportunities: One thing that will happen with any volunteer project is meeting new people. Some of these new contacts could prove useful in the future. Even if they do not provide opportunities for jobs, they may become lifelong friends.

o Building experience for a Curriculum Vitae: Some employers look for service clubs or volunteer activities on projects of common interest from prospective employees. Volunteering for a community project, whether locally or overseas, can bolster a CV.

o Helping to deal with the depression many people feel after job loss: By having something to do, it is unlikely that depression will set in.

No matter a person's age or gender, there is some volunteer activity that they can participate in. Volunteering in a recession is also a feel good mission. It helps people do something for those less fortunate while bolstering their own spirits. Research has proven that people who contribute to community development have a higher quality of life overall.

Tribune Properties run travel sites in Europe, including one for Menorca

Also available is a Menorca map