Volunteer development and wellbeing

Volunteering has many benefits, from improving your wellbeing to developing new skills. Our volunteering experiences provide lots of opportunities for you to grow, develop and have fun. Whether you want to build your CV, gain confidence or get stuck into a new challenge, we have something for everyone!

• More than half of our volunteers (56%) report feeling more confident since volunteering with Cancer Research UK  

• 61% of our volunteers say they have developed new skills thanks to volunteering  

• More than half of our volunteers (56%) say their physical health and wellbeing has improved since volunteering with us, and more than half (57%) say their mental health has improved    

• 50% of our volunteers smile more since volunteering at Cancer Research UK 

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, it’s easy to feel the impact on both our physical and mental wellbeing. But this is also a season where small changes can help make a big difference. 

Here are a few practical tips to help us all take care of our wellbeing this winter:  

Make the most of daylight  

Exposure to natural light boosts mood and energy levels, so try to get outside during daylight hours — even if it’s just a short walk on your lunch break. 

Stay active  

Movement is a powerful tool for improving mood and reducing stress. You don’t need a gym membership — find what works for you, whether it’s stretching at home, walking to the shops, or a free online workout.  

 Prioritise rest  

When life gets busy, it’s easy to overlook the importance of rest. Make time for sleep and set aside moments to recharge, even if that’s simply reading a book or listening to your favourite music.  

Stay connected  

Winter can feel isolating, but reaching out to friends, family, or colleagues can make a world of difference. A quick coffee or catch-up chat can brighten your day.   

Be kind to yourself  

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember it’s okay to take a step back. Acknowledge how you’re feeling and seek support if you need it. Sometimes, simply naming what’s going on can be the first step toward feeling better. 

Get support  

Finally, remember that you’re not alone. Do speak to your staff contact if you feel comfortable doing so, or friends and family. There are great support services that you can access for free such as Mind or the Retail Trust.  

Are you a carer? As a Cancer Research UK volunteer, you’re eligible to access free, expert advice about being a carer through Legal & General’s Care Concierge service.  

Our latest equality, diversity and inclusion survey for volunteers highlighted that a significant number of our volunteers are carers or have caring responsibilities. As part of our wellbeing offer for our volunteers, we want to let you know that any carers who volunteer with us are eligible to access the free Care Concierge service provided by our pension provider, Legal and General. This service can help carers to navigate the journey of adult and later life care and is dedicated to supporting people who care for someone 18 year old and upwards (the service doesn’t focus on care for children, however they might be able to signpost to other care services for the care of under 18s).  

The service offers a variety of support, including advice on how to arrange care for a loved one – helping you to understand the key care and housing options available, and how to start looking for care. The service also provides support with understanding the costs involved with providing care, for example how much care might cost in your area, understanding the overall cost of care, and the different ways available to pay for care. 

To access the service, simply contact the Care Concierge in one of the following ways and let them know that you’re a Cancer Research UK volunteer: 

Website: https://care.legalandgeneral.com/workplace/  

Freephone: 0808 189 3195 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)