A charity has launched a fresh drive for volunteers to sign up to make a difference in the community.

The Centre on Philanthropy (CoP) wants people to give up their time for good causes — and for existing volunteers to share their experiences.

CoP volunteer programme coordinator Jennifer Pitcher said the move was part of National Volunteer Week, which ends on Saturday.

She said: “We encourage companies to take advantage of the Centre on Philanthropy’s volunteer programmes and participate in one of our Centre-facilitated community days or join our team tracker programme to receive reports on employee volunteer hours and encourage their engagement in the community.

“Whether participating in a single day service project, a strategic skills-based volunteering project or on their own time, volunteer contributions are a great way to foster team spirit and enhance volunteerism in our community.

Ms Pitcher added: “Individually, volunteering is good for the mind and body. It connects you to others and it brings fun and fulfillment to your life.

“Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practise important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management and organisation.”

And she said that, amid high unemployment, a voluntary role could help jobseekers find a new post and help with job skills and networking.

Ms Pitcher said that studies had shown that volunteering can increase energy, decrease depression and lessen isolation.

“The experience of making a difference in someone else’s life can lead to a sense of greater self-worth and confidence.

“It is important to stay healthy and help prevent emotional or mental health problems, like anxiety or depression from lack of work, by feeling good about giving back to your community.

“Volunteering is a great way to learn something about yourself, cultivate personal growth and build your self-esteem by learning new skills or applying your current ones in a meaningful way.”

Ms Pitcher added: “It’s a fact that job seekers increase their prospects through volunteering — a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that encourages and facilitates volunteerism in the US, found that jobless Americans increase their odds of finding work by 27 percent if they volunteer.”

Ms Pitcher said the CoP currently had more than 400 volunteer positions on its website.

For more information, log on www.VOLUNTEER.bm or phone the CoP help desk on 236 7706.