Happy National Volunteering Week 🙌 + the July Inspiration posts

Happy National Volunteer Week! An incredible 1.3 million Kiwis volunteer their time to good causes around New Zealand. This year we are celebrating Te Hua o te Mahi Tahi - the benefit of working together.

We want to say a very heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing volunteers, past and present, who have supported the work of Anxiety NZ. Volunteers Workers help our charity in many ways – our Board of Trustees, Helpline Volunteers on our National 24/7 0800 ANXIETY Helpline (0800 269 4389) and Support Volunteers in research, fundraising and admin. We are grateful every day and simply couldn’t do the things we do without them.

Did you know that Volunteering can be a positive boost for your mental health and wellbeing? Volunteering can help us connect with others, practice networking and social skills, explore passions and skill, increase confidence and reduce the impacts of stress or depression. Volunteering can be fun, challenge us in positive ways, and help us feel happier and healthier!

Many non-profit organisations rely on volunteers to be able to do the work they do and they made a real difference to our community, and economy. To learn more about National Volunteer Week or look into options for Volunteering visit here.

You are welcome to call our helpline and speak to a friendly Volunteer Worker or Helpline Worker if you'd like some help to learn a breathing or relaxation exercises and give it a go with some live support - call our free 24/7 Anxiety Helpline 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389).

COMING UP IN JULY! Follow us on Instagram and over the 31 days in July we’ll be posting inspiring content each day. Hear from our team of Psychologists, Community Educators and Volunteers with lived-experience of anxiety or mental distress, who have created, or handpicked 31 posts to share with you! Ka Pai!

The Anxiety NZ Team

We know that volunteers help Anxiety NZ to deliver our services and helps those who we support, but what are the kinds of benefits that volunteering infers for the volunteers themselves?

Personal well being
As well as providing the opportunity for connection, volunteering promotes mental and physical health. Providing a sense of purpose, increasing confidence and combating depression.
"When you help others, it promotes positive physiological changes in the brain associated with happiness."
See this article for further information.

Increase work-related skills and advance your career
Many of our Anxiety Helpline workers have told us that it supports them in their career readiness as they move into important roles in the health sector.
In our placements, and many others, the training offered is extensive and increases many varying skills.

This article highlights five benefits of volunteering: “According to the survey of 202 human-resource executives, skilled volunteer work — such as helping a nonprofit with its finances — makes job applicants look more appealing to hiring manager.”
So make sure you add your volunteering positions into your CV and LinkedIn profile!

Watch a short video of Auckland Mayor Phil Goff thanking Kiwis who volunteer here

Follow us on Instagram and over the 31 days in July we’ll be posting inspiring content each day. Hear from our team of Psychologists, Community Educators and Volunteers with lived-experience of anxiety or mental distress, who have created, or handpicked 31 posts to share with you!

If you're feeling anxious and would like to talk to someone (or if you would like to seek advice for a friend or family member) - you can phone our free 24/7 Anxiety Helpline wherever you are in New Zealand.

Come and join the conversation on social media

Free 24/7 0800 ANXIETY Helpline 0800 269 4389