Some inspiration to help you find the right volunteer role for you

Here is an inspirational abecedary of volunteering to help you identify what kind of volunteer work would suite your values

A – Advocacy Are you passionate about protecting the environment or democracy? You could volunteer for one of the many organizations that shape policy internationally.

B – Buddy Want to make a difference, one person at a time? Many people experience loneliness and want to informally connect, be heard and get inspired. You could become their buddy!

C – Community The government and businesses can’t solve every single issue that people face. Citizen initiatives collaborate to make The Hague healthier, cleaner and more beautiful.

D – Donations Non-profits can only help their clients when there are enough resources to keep them running. You can help them raise funds or collect in natura donations.

E – Equality Many volunteers strive to address inequalities, intolerance and poverty. Look for organizations that have equality as their main goal, you can help

F – Fundraising If you are into grant writing, event planning and online fundraising, join forces with local organizations whose mission aligns with your values.

G – Gratitude Volunteers experience gratitude from the people that non-profits serve, but also from the organization staff who spent months planning activities they could not run with you.

H – Human rights Living in the International City of Peace and Justice, you will see many ways to support non-profits who protect human rights locally and abroad.

I – Inspiration As an international you may know of initiatives or policies from other countries that worked well and could be implemented in the Netherlands. Inspire local organizations!

J – Join! Volunteering is all about taking action, to belong and connect with others. You are the key to social change by choosing to get involved and by recruiting your friends to join you.

K – Kindness Language and cultural barriers feel less unsurmountable when kindness is involved. You lifting up vulnerable people, patience and kindness make a world of difference to them.

L – Leadership Non-profits constantly need new leaders with a wide range of life experiences, expertise, ages, and perspectives. Consider joining a board of directors or an advisory committee!

M – Mentor – If you have ever had a mentor yourself, you know all about the powerful bond between mentor and mentee. Become a volunteer coordinator and mentor new recruits!

N – Neighbourhood No need to go far to volunteer. Your own neighbourhood needs your time and energy to be a safe, caring and engaging place to live!

O – Outreach Invite others to events to inventorize people’s concerns and ideas for improvements and solutions. Be the one who reaches out, facilitates and empowers!

P – Paying it forward Can you remember a time when you or your family received support from a non-profit? Pay it forward and volunteer to help senior citizens, youth or refugees.

Q – Quality of life When you volunteer for a food bank or a community center which offers free meals or children’s activities, you have a concrete impact on the quality of life of people in your city.

R – Respect A key concept for people who want to make a difference, it is not about what you think would be good for others. Listen to their needs, respect their boundaries and find solutions together.

S – Service There are many service clubs in The Hague, they raise funds to support small non-profits. They are a great place to network and make a genuine difference.

T – Time Becoming a financial donor is not the only way to help the community. Giving some of your spare time to volunteer whether for a simple or complex task makes a huge difference!

U – Unity Volunteers come together to run events and programmes. All goes smoothly when there is a clear vision and task distribution. Grow by being part of something bigger than yourself.

V – Voice If you have the gift of storytelling and communication, you can help vulnerable people have a voice to bring in better policy and improve systems that exclude some citizens of The Hague.

W – Wellbeing There is a major need for volunteers within organizations that help improve people’s wellbeing through access to sport, healthy food and quality time with someone who feels lonely.

X – eXchange Volunteering is a great way of sharing skills and knowledge. Clients, volunteers and non-profit staff all learn by exchanging ideas and stories.

Y – Youth Early intervention can change at risk child or teenager’s life for the better. You can volunteer to help them with their homework, or run activities which boost their confidence.

Z – Zeal Many volunteers are idealists and throw themselves into their volunteer roles with their heart and soul! Find a good balance between your community time and your self-care time to thrive.