Why Volunteer?
Why is volunteering important? Why do people do it? What can we get out of volunteering our time, effort and sometimes even our resources?
Volunteering not only works for those receiving help but also those who volunteer; there are many reasons why it is beneficial to all concerned.
Improved Community Life - One good reason why volunteering is important is that it goes a long way towards creating a healthy community and to contribute to the betterment of society.
To Give Back - Another reason why volunteering is important is that it showcases gratitude.
To Help Others - When ordinary people do their part to help in their community they can reach out to others. There will be no financial rewards, but the joy you can bring to others and yourself is priceless
Connect to Other People - When you take part in activities, you get closer to people, you come to know people even better. You will make new acquaintances and get more involved with people and by this your own self-confidence will increase.
It Emboldens the Human Spirit - The selfless act of volunteering provides an emotional boost, knowing you did something good for someone or some cause is an emotionally uplifting experience that can never be matched by money or fame. It is some times not a glamorous job, but most who have volunteered will tell you that the experience is a positive one.
Learn or Develop Skills - Volunteer activities help you improve or develop interpersonal skills, such as understanding people better, motivating others, and dealing with difficult situations. You improve or gain Communication Skills, Increased Knowledge, Improve Job Opportunities, Managerial Skills, Fundraising Skills and Technical Skills.
Motivation and Sense of Achievement - Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. Unlike many things in life there is choice involved in volunteering. As a volunteer you have made a decision to help on your own accord and volunteers predominantly express a sense of achievement and motivation, and this is ultimately generated from your desire and enthusiasm to help. Sometimes volunteers are regarded as do-gooders and those that hold that view also assume that one person can never make a difference. This may be true, but volunteering together we can make a difference and achieve.
New Experiences - Volunteering is a brilliant way to gain life experience; you will experience the real world through hands-on work, which you can look back on and say that shaped my personality. At Antrim Borough Special Olympics Club you will gain an accumulation of knowledge and skills resulting from direct participation in events and activities.
These are just some of the reasons why volunteering is important. Not only does it bring hope and happiness to people, but it also leads to spiritual and emotional growth. It is an experience that cannot be bought with any amount of money.
Volunteering not only works for those receiving help but also those who volunteer; there are many reasons why it is beneficial to all concerned.
Improved Community Life - One good reason why volunteering is important is that it goes a long way towards creating a healthy community and to contribute to the betterment of society.
To Give Back - Another reason why volunteering is important is that it showcases gratitude.
To Help Others - When ordinary people do their part to help in their community they can reach out to others. There will be no financial rewards, but the joy you can bring to others and yourself is priceless
Connect to Other People - When you take part in activities, you get closer to people, you come to know people even better. You will make new acquaintances and get more involved with people and by this your own self-confidence will increase.
It Emboldens the Human Spirit - The selfless act of volunteering provides an emotional boost, knowing you did something good for someone or some cause is an emotionally uplifting experience that can never be matched by money or fame. It is some times not a glamorous job, but most who have volunteered will tell you that the experience is a positive one.
Learn or Develop Skills - Volunteer activities help you improve or develop interpersonal skills, such as understanding people better, motivating others, and dealing with difficult situations. You improve or gain Communication Skills, Increased Knowledge, Improve Job Opportunities, Managerial Skills, Fundraising Skills and Technical Skills.
Motivation and Sense of Achievement - Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. Unlike many things in life there is choice involved in volunteering. As a volunteer you have made a decision to help on your own accord and volunteers predominantly express a sense of achievement and motivation, and this is ultimately generated from your desire and enthusiasm to help. Sometimes volunteers are regarded as do-gooders and those that hold that view also assume that one person can never make a difference. This may be true, but volunteering together we can make a difference and achieve.
New Experiences - Volunteering is a brilliant way to gain life experience; you will experience the real world through hands-on work, which you can look back on and say that shaped my personality. At Antrim Borough Special Olympics Club you will gain an accumulation of knowledge and skills resulting from direct participation in events and activities.
These are just some of the reasons why volunteering is important. Not only does it bring hope and happiness to people, but it also leads to spiritual and emotional growth. It is an experience that cannot be bought with any amount of money.
MEET THE VOLUNTEER TEAM
John Fisher - (Club Chairperson & Head Coach)
John is one of the founding volunteers of the club and has been volunteering at the club since 2007.
Why do I volunteer: There are many reasons why I volunteer, the main reason is to give something back to the community, volunteering helps to improve community life and it is important if you believe in your community you should do something to help create a healthy community whilst at the same time contributing to the betterment of society. I've had a good life and it's important for me to give back, and volunteering is a good way to show my gratitude for what I have.
What do I get out of volunteering: There are many things I personally get out of volunteering, here are just some of them: It's important to me to support and help others within my community to develop both socially, physically and achieve their maximum potential. It is also a lot of enjoyment for myself and I get to meet new acquaintances and get more involved with people that I perhaps would not other wise get involved with.
Why do I volunteer: There are many reasons why I volunteer, the main reason is to give something back to the community, volunteering helps to improve community life and it is important if you believe in your community you should do something to help create a healthy community whilst at the same time contributing to the betterment of society. I've had a good life and it's important for me to give back, and volunteering is a good way to show my gratitude for what I have.
What do I get out of volunteering: There are many things I personally get out of volunteering, here are just some of them: It's important to me to support and help others within my community to develop both socially, physically and achieve their maximum potential. It is also a lot of enjoyment for myself and I get to meet new acquaintances and get more involved with people that I perhaps would not other wise get involved with.
Norma Barron - (Club Volunteer & Athlete/ Protection Officer)
Norma is one of the founding volunteers of the club and has been volunteering at the club since 2007.
Why do I volunteer: To share with other the experiences and knowledge that I have gained and to be able to give back to the community by helping others to fulfil their full potential
What do I get out of volunteering:
Satisfaction in knowing that I can give back some of the knowledge that I have learnt, also the enjoyment that I get watching the Athletes reach their potential and more important watching them having fun and being social, also the new friends that I have made not just in my community but from other communities.
Why do I volunteer: To share with other the experiences and knowledge that I have gained and to be able to give back to the community by helping others to fulfil their full potential
What do I get out of volunteering:
Satisfaction in knowing that I can give back some of the knowledge that I have learnt, also the enjoyment that I get watching the Athletes reach their potential and more important watching them having fun and being social, also the new friends that I have made not just in my community but from other communities.
Jim Whitmarsh - (Club Sports Officer)
Jim has been a volunteer with the club since 2009.
Why do I volunteer: To help Athletes acheive their full potential
What do I get out of volunteering: I get to see the athletes develop both socially and physically and above all have fun at the club.
Why do I volunteer: To help Athletes acheive their full potential
What do I get out of volunteering: I get to see the athletes develop both socially and physically and above all have fun at the club.
Joan Gray (Club Volunteer)
Joan has been a volunteer at the club since 2009.
Why do I volunteer: Because of the welcome I receive from the Athletes each club night.
What do I get out of volunteering: Seeing the Athletes at the club enjoying the Basketball and improving their skills as the weeks progress.
Why do I volunteer: Because of the welcome I receive from the Athletes each club night.
What do I get out of volunteering: Seeing the Athletes at the club enjoying the Basketball and improving their skills as the weeks progress.
Andrea McBride - (Club Treasurer)
Andrea has been a volunteer at the club since 2012.
Why do I volunteer: The lift you get from coming to training when you've had a bad day
What do I get out of volunteering: The enjoyment, socialism and since of achievement that you watch the athletes display while taking part in the game
Why do I volunteer: The lift you get from coming to training when you've had a bad day
What do I get out of volunteering: The enjoyment, socialism and since of achievement that you watch the athletes display while taking part in the game
Anne Kerr - (Club Volunteer)
Anne has been a volunteer at the club since 2011.
Why do I volunteer: To give back to the local community, and to help others and meet new people
What do I get out of volunteering: Self Motivation, Self Confidence, New experiences, New Friends and Responsibility
Why do I volunteer: To give back to the local community, and to help others and meet new people
What do I get out of volunteering: Self Motivation, Self Confidence, New experiences, New Friends and Responsibility
Lauren Scott - (Club Volunteer/Secretary)
Lauren has been a volunteer at the club since 2014
Why do I volunteer: To share my experience and knowledge to help the people in my community and to meet new people/make new friends
What do I get out of volunteering: The enjoyment and fun there is at every training session, where you can see the athletes grow, whether it's socially or physically. To see the positive impact you can make on a persons life and in the community is truly rewarding and invaluable.
Volunteer Training Opportunities