Skilled volunteering vs ‘traditional’ volunteering: How you can create a social impact

By Jens Christian Trier, COO at We Make Change

As we transition into a digital world the gap between skilled volunteering and “traditional” volunteering is widening meaning fewer people are unaware of the different ways you can help make an impact for the causes they care about. This blog will help you understand the gap and how you can create a social impact through your skills.

THE DIFFERENCE

The traditional connotations people have to the concept of volunteering often relate to a physical activity in a specific physical space. This could for example be volunteering at a charity shop, a local soup kitchen, travelling abroad to teach or help children with their homework. Such volunteering opportunities bring value to beneficiaries and the local community.

However, traditional volunteering opportunities such as the above-mentioned are often low-skilled, resulting in low impact and often, such opportunities are inaccessible due to physical constraints or interference with personal schedules.

According to studies, 90% of Americans want to volunteer, but only 1 in 4 do (Stanford). A UK study found that volunteering improves life satisfaction and overall health. Volunteering is rewarding and boosts the sense of social connection for those who partake in volunteering opportunities (York University).

There is a desire for people to volunteer, and it is proven that there are plenty of benefits to doing so. But what if people could focus more on skilled volunteering: that is, opportunities that are high-skilled, with high-impact, and that are accessible. Skilled volunteering allows individuals to volunteer from wherever they are, improving both hard- and soft skills. It is also a way to give back while improving one's network as well as CV if that should be of interest.

And best of all, such opportunities allow for social impact that make the world a better place. Skill-based volunteering can be anything from using finance skills to marketing, graphic design, web development, or legal skills.

THE BENEFITS OF SKILLED VOLUNTEERING

Remote and flexible
Skilled volunteering is easily accessible meaning you are not limited by a location. With the pandemic, remote work has become normalised which means that you can now make an impact from the comfort of your home when it fits your schedule. All you need is a laptop and some spare time to volunteer your skills online.
Enhance your skills
Skilled volunteering allows you to enhance both soft- and hard skills. You might be a student who is looking to use your skills in practice, or you might already work with these skills in your day job, but you are looking to connect and work with people from different countries and backgrounds in a completely different context and sector. No matter what situation you are in, this is an opportunity for personal development.
Improve your CV
Without a doubt, volunteering can provide you with core skills that can help enhance your professional life and CV. These days experience is vital and skilled volunteering can help individuals develop key experience and skills to help their resume and professional development. It can also help fill any gaps in your CV.
Grow your network
Using your skills when volunteering for a Social Enterprise also allows you to connect and work with founder(s) in the impact sector. You get to grow your network, and oftentimes they are happy to make introductions and write you recommendation letters.
Change the world!
Not only do you get the opportunity to volunteer when it fits your schedule, but you also get to use your skills, enhance your resume and expand your network. On top of all of this, you get to make a social impact that is changing the world for the better!
GETTING INVOLVED: WHERE TO START?
It can be difficult to find volunteering opportunities where you can use your skills. At We Make Change we make it easy for individuals to volunteer their skills to support the causes that they care about. Join the movement - here’s how!
Firstly, do the following exercise to determine how you can make change!
1. Find out with yourself what causes you care about - you can use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework!
2. What skills do you have that can make a difference? It can be anything from marketing to web development!
3. How much of your time can you give on a weekly basis? It can be between 2-8 hours, or even a day or two depending on your situation!
Secondly, sign up with We Make Change to learn more about the latest opportunities among our more than 500 Social Enterprises from across the world. You will also receive updates on the impact that the organisations do to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Sign up to one of our wide range of projects - with a new one being added every day!

Thirdly, get your university or company involved in our Change Days, which are our interactive, virtual volunteering events where you get to work directly with Social Enterprises and your colleagues throughout the whole day! Read more about how it all works here.

Need some inspiration? Read one of many Change Stories where individuals and employees have used their skills to create impact.

Use your skills. Change the world 💪