You get back more than you give when you volunteer

Gwen Loughman looks at the social and psychological impact volunteering has on everyone involved

“The human impact of volunteering is massive”

These are the words of Derek Fanning, manager of Tipperary Volunteer Centre who believes it is the small things we don’t see that can leave the biggest imprint on someone’s life. “It’s not a one size fits all. Our job is to find the role that suits. It could be as simple as going into a charity shop and arranging clothes for a half an hour. We’re not talking about 30 hours a week. My mantra for a while now has been to look at volunteering as an exchange.”