As winter bites and the days reach their shortest and darkest, MKC’s Public Health team is encouraging people to ‘give to gain’ throughout December.
‘Give’ is this month’s theme under the 5 Ways to Wellbeing initiative, part of a national campaign to encourage people in Milton Keynes to take simple steps proven to help people feel happier and healthier, which began last month.
Research shows that helping others increases our feelings of self-worth, happiness and wellbeing; that’s the message from Milton Keynes Council and its partners as they support the local 5 Ways initiative.
Seeing ourselves, and our happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around us. Giving our time to others in a constructive way helps us strengthen our relationships and build new ones. It can give us a sense of purpose and make us feel happier and more satisfied about life.
Even the smallest act of giving or kindness counts, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. But larger acts like volunteering enable you to ‘give’ and enrich other people’s lives whilst building your own social networks.
Volunteering in Milton Keynes is for everyone. Whether you have a short amount of time, are looking for a one off opportunity or something more regular to get your teeth into.
There are a whole host of volunteering opportunities available throughout Milton Keynes just a few examples are:
- volunteering at Milton Keynes Libraries (IT buddies, family history support, shelvers and greeters, story time helpers)
- give your time to older, lonely people in your community
- balance the books for a local charity,
- plant wildflowers along a new canal
- use your digital skills to promote local events
- drive a vulnerable person to hospital,
- help young people gain self esteem
- become a school governor
Community Action: MK is the hub for volunteering in Milton Keynes. Tim Marren CEO, said: “Our experience shows that the benefits of volunteering are truly remarkable and they are easier than ever to discover. Volunteering your time makes you feel like you have more time and helps to develop more skills, builds your experience and employability and makes you healthier.”
To find out about volunteering opportunities in MK visit: https://communityactionmk.org/volunteer/ . To find out more about 5 Ways to Wellbeing MK visit www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/5waysmk. Ypu can also look out for more information on Milton Keynes Council’s Twitter and Facebook pages over the coming months.
