Volunteerism benefits the well-being of volunteers

Question

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) currently, what is the average lifespan of volunteers who were actively involved in charity work when they were alive; and (b) whether there is a co-relation between a person's lifespan and the age he starts volunteering or the years of volunteer service performed.

Response

1. Minister Grace Fu: We do not track the statistic that Mr Gan has asked for.

2. A study by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in 2013 found that a person's perception of well-being is positively correlated with giving, which includes volunteering or donating. Specifically, 66% of givers, as compared to 45% of non-givers, were more likely to report they experience high levels of well-being¹. Giving may increase well-being as volunteers derive deep meaning from helping others, are more grateful for their own life situation, and grow a bigger network of positive social relationships, along with a stronger sense of community.

3. A research in Scotland² in 2018 found that volunteering benefitted the mental and physical well-being of volunteers, with benefits found to be more significant for older volunteers (60 years and above) who are more subject to loneliness, role-identity loss such as loss of employment or loss of partner/departure of children, and ill health.

Notes

¹ Well-being in the study refers to the extent to which individuals report to be satisfied and happy with their lives.
² Linning, M. & Jackson, G. (2018, December). “Volunteering, health and wellbeing.” What does the evidence tell us?. Volunteer Scotland.