Volunteering is often thought of as a selfless act, and while it is true that volunteers typically give their time and energy without expecting anything in return, research shows that volunteering actually has a large number of emotional and physical benefits.

These benefits include;

• A sense of connection, belonging, meaning and purpose. All of these are proven to help alleviate depression, anxiety, chronic stress and feelings of loneliness.
• Since chronic stress has been proven to be detrimental to our physical health as well as our emotional health, it makes sense that research shows volunteering helps improve physical and mental health.
• The possibility of learning new skills, having new experiences and meeting new people
• Increased feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. "Acts of kindness may only take a few seconds but they can create a meaningful sense of connection and subtly reaffirm our self worth by reminding us that we have purpose and value for others."
• Hope and joy as we actively help create a better world

The joys of volunteering with A Touch of Gentleness

I believe that all of the above benefits are particularly true for those who volunteer with A Touch of Gentleness because the three pillars on which our work is based:

• Gentleness
• Touch
• Listening with presence

... all result in feelings of connection. And a sense of connection is essential for our physical and emotional wellbeing.

Gentleness, touch and non-judgemental listening each provide their own reciprocal feedback loop.Thus the giver also reaps the benefits of what they offer.

When working with gentleness: "There is a double gift that appears: the one who offers it and the one who receives it are both brought together." Anne Dufourmantelle

Touch with all its many physical and emotional benefits has a bilateral healing effect: one that benefits both the giver and the receiver. A study by Tiffany Field even showed that the cortisol level of the touch givers dropped more than of those receiving touch!
 
Listening helps create relationships.

"As we listen with kindness we move closer to one another… and when we listen we reweave the world into wholeness.’"
Margret Wheatley.

Our natural state is to be together. In practicing listening with full presence our own personal relationships also benefit.

Click here to read kind words from some of our volunteers.

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