International Volunteer Day on 5 December is a wonderful chance to celebrate everyone who gives their time and energy to help others. If you already volunteer, please know this: you make an enormous difference. Whether you’re cheering at events, supporting neighbours, protecting the environment, or helping in local groups, your kindness makes communities warmer and stronger. Thank you for showing up; it matters more than you might realise.

It’s also a great moment to invite those who haven’t tried volunteering yet. You don’t need special skills or loads of free time; you just need a willingness to help. Volunteering isn’t only about giving; it’s about gaining friendships, confidence, purpose, and joy. Ask any volunteer and they’ll tell you that you might be surprised by how much it gives back.

So this International Volunteer Day, let’s celebrate the amazing people who are already making a difference, and gently encourage others to join in. Your community needs your gifts, your time, and your heart. And who knows? You might discover that volunteering is exactly what you’ve been looking for.