How You Can Make a Difference in Society

Regardless of how busy we may be in our everyday lives, you may still have that sense of yearning to do something more. As humans, we crave the idea of making a difference in order to help others and leave our mark on society. Giving back to society is sure to make you feel great about yourself, with scientific evidence discovering that it can make us feel happier and gives us a newfound sense of purpose.

If you have the desire to make a difference but simply don’t know where to start, this blog may come in useful by giving you some inspiration on how you can get involved in your local community. Here are just a few of the ways you can make an impact today:

Donate blood

You can save multiple lives by deciding to give blood. Every two seconds, a person in the USA needs blood to have a chance of surviving. With just a single blood donation, you could save up to three lives, which is a major achievement. If you have always desired to donate blood, there’s never an earlier enough time than right now.

Everyone has a different blood type – but your personal blood type can be identified by the on-site team before the donation begins. The whole process is quick and easy, lasting no more than 15 minutes, and you can, if you’re approved, donate up to six times every year.

Clear out your closet

When was the last time you had a good clear out of your closet? Many of us are hoarding clothing that no longer fits us or that we simply no longer wear.On a drab day, why not go through your belongings and make a pile of clothes to either donate or recycle? Many local charity stores and organizations are desperate for donations to sell or to give to those in need. Not only will you be making space in your home, but you’ll also be giving back to your community without having to make too much of an effort.

Volunteer with an organization

 

If you have a couple hours spare a week, why not volunteer with an organization? There are plenty of organizations that require support from time to time; whether it be at a hospital, a care home, a youth group, or an animal shelter – the possibilities are endless.

There may be various organizations in your community that you could reach out tosee whether they need help, or you could browse online for places that require extra assistance in your neighborhood. If you will struggle to commit to a regular number of hours each week, there are plenty of virtual opportunities that can be carried out at your own leisure. Many charities offer roles that can be done remotely, whether it be administration support or website maintenance. By choosing a cause that you feel strongly about, you’re more likely to enjoy the experience and work harder to make a difference.

Adopt or foster a rescue animal

Around the world, there are millions of animals that have been mistreated, neglected, or abandoned – and the problem is significantly worsening. There are approximately 70 million animals that are yet to find homes. If you’re an animal lover, you could decide to adopt a cat or dog or foster one temporarily. Not only will you be giving the animal a second chance at life, but you’ll also be making valuable space in shelters so that more animals can be rescued.

Become a social worker

If you’re looking to switch careers to take on a more vocational role, you could consider becoming a social worker. Each day, your main responsibility will be to protect vulnerable people in the community (such as children, the elderly, young adults, and people with disabilities and mental health conditions) from violent and dangerous situations.

To get into the social work sector, you’ll need to acquire a minimum of a BA qualification in social work. During some courses, you may also have the chance to undertake real-world experience, which can be advantageous for adding to your resumé when the time comes to apply for jobs in the sector. Many courses can now be studied online to fit around your current commitments, such as an Online Master of Social Work.

Carry out a huge beach clean-up

If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast, why not spend one of your weekends cleaning up a beach? You could ask friends or family to assist you with doing a litterpick on the sandto prevent harmful objects being washed into the ocean. Tragically, many tonnes of waste are deposited in the ocean each year, which has a detrimental effect on marine life.

A beach clean-up requires a team effort; therefore, it may be worthwhile to set up an online event on a social media platform and invite those in your social circle to join you. The earlier you start planning the event, the better the turnout will be.

Help out a neighbor

 

Do you have neighbors that could benefit from help? It’s surprising how even the smallest act can have such a profound impact on someone’s life. If you have recently moved to the area, it may be worth making connections with those in your local community to discover if there is anyone that desperately needs support. This could be a single mother that requires some back-up from time to time or an elderly person with no relatives nearby.

Shop locally

 

One way to truly help your community is to shop locally. Large chain stores are typically the first port of call for many when it comes to purchasing groceries and essentials,which can put local shops at risk of closure. By investing money into your local area, you will have helped a small business stay afloat and contribute to its success.

What are the benefits of helping your community?

 

Now that we have provided some of the best ways in which you can make a difference, what are the benefits that you can reap from these experiences?

1. The chance to meet new people

One of the reasons why many people choose to volunteer their time is becausethey have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life – and even make lifelong friends. Whether you live alone or simply wish to expand your circle, volunteering is a great way to build relationships with those who have similar morals and ideas and can even allow you to experience a sense of belonging.

2. Improves your resumé

If you’re on the job hunt, volunteering can be extremely valuable for adding to your resumé. Employers typically lookout for candidates with some form of work experience – even if it is not relatable to the job. What’s more, they will look favorably on candidates that have offered their time to a worthy cause, as it shows their motivation to get stuck in without receiving any credit.

If you’re looking to change careers at some stage, dipping your toe into various sectors through volunteering allows you to discover whether the path is suitable for you before applying for paid roles.

3. Buildsyour skillset and experience

Have you always wanted to test your skills in a certain area? Short courses can be costly, but volunteering is free of charge,and you’ll get the chance to try things you may never have had the opportunity to do before. Whether you’re looking to secure a job in the field later down the line or simply wish to achieve a personal challenge, giving your time steadily builds on your skillset, which is sure to come in useful at some stage.

4. Good for your wellbeing

Research has proven that volunteering can begreat for our health and wellbeing. Some studies show that doing something good for our community can improve heart and brain health and even lower our stress levels. When we help others, it instantly fosters physiological stimulation in the brain by releasing feel-good hormones, which enhances mood and gives you a more positive outlook on life.

5. Puts things into perspective

It’s natural to dwell on things in life that are going wrong, but what we often forget is that these problems are often minimal in comparison to what others are going through. By volunteering, you’ll gain a wider insight into what is happening in the world around you and puts your own worries into perspective. By becoming aware of the struggles that others are dealing with, you’re bound to feel a sense of gratitude for what you have and count your blessings more often.

There are many ways in which you can make a difference in your community – and the route taken typically depends on what is important to you. We hope this blog has come in useful for providing a selection of ideas about how you can get involved in your community.

The good news is that you don’t have to make huge sacrifices to do your part – it could be as simple as doing one small act if you cannot commit large amounts of time regularly.