It’s Sunday night. You finally have some time for yourself. On social media, you stumble upon a great organization supporting a cause that matters a lot to you. Their work is so inspiring that you start to wonder… What if?

What if you got involved in this meaningful project? What if you could contribute somehow to their honorable cause? 

It’s settled. Tomorrow, you’ll start looking for volunteering opportunities. Tomorrow’s the day you take action. 

But Monday and the frenzyness of life comes, and your good intentions slowly start drifting away. 

Sounds familiar? Volunteering is a great way of giving back, but it is often difficult to take the first step. Let’s have a look at 5 common barriers to volunteering and how to overcome them.

Our team members share their experiences!

⏰ “I don’t have the time”

We often think volunteering is going to be too time-consuming. Only retired or unemployed people have time to do it, I might have heard you say. 

But volunteering is like a box of chocolates. To each one their flavour and shape. 

Volunteering doesn’t necessarily mean getting involved full time. There are many different ways to give your time. Some volunteering missions are a day-long, others a few hours, others are campaign-related, others are all year long, others are virtual. Some companies allow their employees to volunteer during work hours. There’s a volunteering mission for every kind of lifestyle. What’s your pick?

“I have had the opportunity to engage in different kinds of volunteer work. I volunteered for more than a year and full time on the ground supporting displaced people, but I have also been able to volunteer punctually for Translators Without Borders or Refugees Welcome. There will always be a volunteering mission that will fit the time you are able to give at the moment. What is important is to be honest with the NGO from the beginning (and during) about your availability to avoid generating frustrations”.
Inès Decoster
Communications Manager
“For 6 months, I helped an NGO with the distribution of free meals for homeless people. I spent around 2 hours at a time helping with several tasks: sometimes it was the cooking, sometimes it was setting up the tables. I learned a lot from this experience and, notably, that small contributions (like cutting potatoes or placing a fork next to a place) still make a difference!"
Mina Levy
Impact Intern

🤷‍♀️ “It won’t make a difference”

Refugee crisis, marine pollution, homelessness… Sometimes the solutions to the causes you wish to address can feel out of reach. But your small actions can often mean much more than you think.

“Volunteering is a roller coaster of emotions from feeling you can change the world to thinking your efforts are actually not changing the bigger picture. But change doesn’t always have to be big. You can help someone feel understood. You can make someone’s day a little easier. You can raise awareness around you. You can show that a fairer and more sustainable world can be reality. Inaction is seldom the solution.”
Inès Decoster
Communications Manager

Not only can volunteering help you make a difference in the world, but it can also make a difference in your own life. Volunteering can help you develop new skills, channel and express your identity or open your mind. 

“The biggest lie is that volunteering is selfless. When volunteering with refugee people across Europe, I have gained much more than I have ever given. My volunteering experiences have enabled me to gain professional experience, to cultivate a great open-mindedness and other valuable skills, to learn from my peers etc. There is absolutely no shame in that, but it is important to be aware of it”.
Inès Decoster
Communications Manager
“For me, volunteering has opened doors to other realities. I am now a member of a cooperative supermarket. I work there once a month (cashier, cleaning, managing orders…) and I already feel like I am actively contributing to building an alternative, fairer, more sustainable and inclusive system”
María Llinas
Impact Manager

🤭 “I am too shy”

A perk of the volunteering sector is that people tend to be really nice. You often join supportive communities working together for the greater good. You will also be able to meet people from a variety of backgrounds working towards the same goal. It’s a great way to meet new people, get out of your comfort zone and find meaning in community. If you need someone to get that extra push, you can rally your friends: the more, the merrier!

"Since 2020, I have contributed to the organization of a cinema forum called “La Otra Actualidad”. We display movies addressing social issues such as gender or decent work and discuss them afterwards with a group of experts. I support the logistics of the events and I have now moderated 2 debates. I really enjoy it! It has helped me get out of my comfort zone and connect with like-minded people." 
María Llinas
Impact Manager

🤔 “I don’t know how to choose”

So you’ve decided to volunteer, but now what? How can you find your volunteering match? Choosing your volunteering mission requires a little bit of time and digging. 

First, define your goal and conditions. What cause are you hoping to serve? How much time will you be able to give? Virtual or in person? Local or abroad? This will help you filter your options. 

Then, recommendations from friends or relatives are always a good place to start. Local governments often have platforms full of volunteering opportunities. You can also contact organizations directly through their website or social media. 

A tip? Avoid letting the recruitment process drag. If you get in contact with an organization, commit to replying as soon as possible to accelerate the process. Otherwise, your enthusiasm could quickly fade away. 

Also, beware of scams. Volunteering is not exempt from commercial opportunism. Is the organization transparent about how funds are allocated?

“When I was looking for a volunteering placement, I often stumbled upon volunteering opportunities where you had to pay extortionate fees. Having to pay for offering your time and skills is absurd. Volunteering should always stay true to its core humanitarian purpose: people helping people. And not become a business. For me, Indigo Volunteers was a great tool to filter volunteering opportunities.”
Inès Decoster
Communications Manager

Background checks, training offers or codes of conduct are also often good signs that an organization is committed to do no harm by respecting a strict set of standards and avoiding generating additional risks through one’s intervention.

😔 “I don’t have anything to offer”

As cheesy as this may sound, everyone has something to offer. Whether you speak several languages, are tech-savvy, are a pro with needles and threads or are full of motivation, you have something to give. We often take some of our skills as granted and ordinary, but they are often not!

Although some volunteering offers require some specific skills, most of them only require motivation and commitment to do and learn. Your energy can make a huge difference.

Most organizations will provide you with initial training. You will be able to familiarize yourself with your mission and responsibilities little by little.

“I recently helped an organization develop their communication strategy, notably on social media. This experience helped me contribute to a great cause, although not being physically in the same country. It also made me realize that there are different ways of helping, especially using the skills that I already have!”
Mina Levy
Impact Intern

You’re so close to becoming an agent of change. Kung-fu fight these barriers and unleash your great potential to do good. 

On NooS, the employees of our member companies can volunteer in carefully selected organizations. They have access to a diverse range of opportunities. Whatever your skills, lifestyle or location, there’s a match for everyone.