Q: What are the benefits of Volunteering A: give something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person's life, either directly or indirectly make a difference to the lives of others help the environment help others less fortunate or without a voice feel valued and part of a team spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle gain confidence and self-esteem. For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of: gaining new skills, knowledge and experience developing existing skills and knowledge enhancing a CV improving one's employment prospects gaining an accreditation using one's professional skills and knowledge to benefit others (usually described as pro bono). For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include: meeting new people and making new friends a chance to socialise getting to know the local community.