Why do people volunteer?

We're often asked why people want to volunteer to help organisations that they have no connection with. We didn't really know the answer so we've added the question to the form that volunteers fill in when they sign up with us.

Here are some of the answers we've received:

I have a good skillset that I feel could be of benefit to an organisation which hopefully frees them up so they can be of more help to people that need it.

It's high time I gave something back!

Want to work for a good cause. To learn and devote my services for community and celebrating the happiness after achieving the success.To accept the challenges of life and be remain a part of IT team.

I have come to a new chapter in life and I want to put something back into my community.

I have a broad range of general knowledge, so could hopefully help fill any gaps or start specific projects for charities. I currently do have a full time IT job but volunteering would give me more experience and help me put my skills to good use.

I enjoy meeting new people and tackling new challenges. I wish to help my local community.

I want to give something back to the community. I am where I am today, because someone (maybe many someones!) took the time to encourage me, now it is my turn.

I have a degree and experience but still finding difficulty to get a job. I want to be a Web designer, I need some more experience in it. And I want to polish my skills by volunteering.

To give charities the opportunity to utilise resources they may not normally have easy access to.

I am not working and would like to feel empowered and be useful.

I want to change career, and want to build up my technical skills and experience by volunteering. I understand the voluntary sector, as I have worked for over 5yrs as a fundraiser. I would like to be able to give something back to the community.

We hope you enjoy reading these quotes. We do, and find them very inspiring, and sometimes humbling...