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Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and local communities - Leaving Cert Home Economics - Question 3(c) - 2014
Question 3(c)
Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and local communities. (i) Discuss, giving examples, the role of voluntary work in the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and local communities - Leaving Cert Home Economics - Question 3(c) - 2014
Step 1
Discuss, giving examples, the role of voluntary work in the community.
Answer
Voluntary work plays a crucial role in enhancing community welfare by supplying a wide array of services to disadvantaged and underprivileged groups. For instance, organizations may focus on specific demographics such as the elderly, where volunteers provide companionship and support services that might otherwise be lacking due to formal state provisions.
Additionally, voluntary organizations complement the work carried out by statutory bodies, ensuring that areas like health and personal care receive attention where the state cannot due to funding shortages. Volunteers also engage in educational initiatives, tutoring children from low-income families and thereby fostering academic growth and social mobility.
Furthermore, voluntary work can be preventative in nature; issues such as poverty and social isolation can be alleviated quickly by mobilizing volunteers to intervene and provide essential services. By highlighting these issues publicly, voluntary organizations attract the media's attention, initiating changes in policy and legislation, which in turn can effect widespread social reform.
Step 2
Evaluate the benefits to be gained from voluntary work by the volunteer.
Answer
Engaging in voluntary work offers significant personal rewards for the volunteer. Firstly, it is a source of intrinsic satisfaction, as the act of helping others fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Volunteers often develop vital organizational and communication skills, enhancing their competencies in both personal and professional realms.
Moreover, volunteering provides unique opportunities for personal development; by cultivating new perspectives, volunteers can gain insight into diverse ways of life and the challenges faced by others.
Additionally, volunteers build strong relationships, not only with fellow colleagues but also with the communities they serve. This networking can lead to enhanced social ties and professional connections that may benefit them in future endeavors. Overall, the experience of volunteering enriches volunteers' lives, encouraging altruism and community engagement.