So, what is community spirit?  How do we foster this in our communities and within ourselves?

Community spirit isn’t cultivated overnight. Developing a community willingness to participate and foster groups, societies and neighbourhoods can take time and work.

Living in a community where you know and connect with neighbours fosters positive community spirit, keeping you and your neighbours feeling happy and connected.

Benefits include:

• Learn new skills. Volunteer work is one of the best ways to expand your skills and gain new knowledge. Being involved in community projects will open opportunities to learn and provide exposure to a variety of tasks.

• Expand and diversify your social connections. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and get to know your local community. It also helps you connect with other people who share your passion.

• Contribute to the greater good. Australians are respected internationally for their social conscience and their contribution to society especially in times of disaster. Volunteering is a valuable contribution to your community and delivers benefits not achievable in other ways.

• Review your career. Volunteering helps explore future pathways and career possibilities without taking career risks. You can ‘try before you buy’ in areas that you think you’d like and find out if you really are suited. Many people change careers when they have had very satisfying volunteer experiences.

• Gain perspective. Often, we get ‘bogged down’ in the daily grind and may not appreciate the life we lead. Volunteering exposes us to the lives of others and may change your perspective.

• Feel needed. We often don’t value ourselves and trivialise our actions. Seeing what a big impact your seemingly small contribution can make to the lives of others is very rewarding.

• Feel good about yourself. Doing something for someone else makes you feel better about yourself as a person and boosts self-esteem.

Contact your local council to find out about local organisations and opportunities. They may run volunteer information days.  So, why not volunteer today!

https://www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au/