The Feel-Good Power of Volunteering at Citizens Advice
Volunteering or interning at Citizens Advice isn’t just a way to support others — it’s also a powerful boost for your own mental well-being. Here are some uplifting facts to show how giving your time gives back to you, too:
🧠 1. Boosts Mental Well-being
People who volunteer report higher life satisfaction and lower anxiety. In fact, NHS studies show that regular volunteers often have better mental health than non-volunteers.
😊 2. Reduces Stress and Builds Resilience
Helping others activates the brain’s “helper’s high”, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. It’s a natural stress-buster!
👫 3. Fights Loneliness
Volunteering connects you with others. A UK study found it reduces social isolation, and builds a sense of purpose and belonging — something many of us crave.
💪 4. Boosts Confidence and Skills
Volunteering builds real-life confidence. Citizens Advice volunteers say they feel more empowered, capable, and resilient, all of which contribute to improved emotional health.
🌳 5. Just a Little Makes a Big Difference
Volunteering once a week is enough to see measurable mental health benefits. Plus, those who volunteer regularly may live longer, according to long-term UK studies.
🤓 Quick Fun Facts:
One in three Citizens Advice volunteers say the role helped them recover from a period of poor mental health or low confidence. Additionally, over 80% of all volunteers said that volunteering had a positive effect on their physical or mental health, with 56% reporting feeling less stressed (CAB 2014 Volunteers’ Week report)
Volunteering activates the same reward circuits in your brain as eating chocolate or hearing your favourite music.
Volunteering is linked to a 22% lower risk of depression — especially when it’s done regularly and with a sense of purpose (Royal Voluntary Service & NHS).
People who volunteer report feeling happier than those who earn more money, according to UK research — giving time often feels more rewarding than gaining things.
Just 2 hours a week is enough to significantly boost well-being and reduce feelings of isolation (NCVO & UK Civil Society).
NHS volunteers report better sleep, stronger social networks, and more energy — all key ingredients for good mental health.
Volunteering can lead to improved job prospects, with over 80% of employers in the UK saying it adds value to a CV — boosting confidence and life satisfaction.
Volunteering with Citizens Advice doesn’t just build better communities — it helps to build a better you.