Changing France's Approach to Volunteering, One Hour at a Time

Changing France's approach to volunteering, one hour at a time

With its strong social safety net, France has not traditionally been a country with a strong culture of volunteerism. But that may be changing, with a new initiative to encourage people to give an hour of their time each month to help their neighbours.

The Things You Don’t List on the Application: What Volunteering Has Really Taught Me

I never started volunteering to ‘gain experience.’ Not really. That’s the phrase you use on your CV, or when you’re nervously explaining why you’re giving up your weekend again. But the truth is, I started volunteering because I wanted to feel useful. To feel part of something. I wanted to believe I could do something good, even if I didn’t have much else to give. And maybe I wasn’t always sure where I fit: too shy to lead a room, too anxious to…

How Voluntourism Allows You to Give Back

When planning a vacation, some people are content to sit on the beach for a week, while others want to give back to the communities they visit. Combining volunteer work with a vacation, sometimes called “voluntourism,” is growing in popularity, expected to increase 6.1% between 2024 and 2030.  “Dedicating time to making a positive difference creates memories far deeper than any souvenir,” says Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foun…

Volunteering to be the change

There’s more to volunteering than just helping others. This act of kindness is also surprisingly good for your health. According to science, volunteering has a profound impact on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing… 1. Reduces stress When you’re volunteering, you’re focused on others, your mind shifts away from your own personal problems, giving you a sense of calm and purpose. Studies show that volunteering helps lower cortisol (the s…

Volunteerism and employee engagement are strategic imperatives

Volunteerism is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a strategic advantage. It strengthens teams, deepens company culture, and makes a tangible difference in the communities where we live and work.