Five ways volunteering makes you happy

Published: 12 June 2025

Did you know that volunteering for a great cause like the Heart Foundation can increase your happiness and health? Doing good for others is also good for you.

It’s National Volunteer Week (15–21 June) and this year’s theme is ‘Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together’.  

That’s something that’s really important to us here at the Heart Foundation – because looking after your heart isn’t just about healthy food, exercise, and heart medications. It’s also about your emotional wellbeing, your connections with others, and your sense of purpose in life. 

And guess what? Volunteering is the perfect way to meet some of those emotional needs. When you volunteer, it doesn’t just help others, it helps you – and your heart – as well. 

Don’t just take it from us though. Research into volunteering has proved it. Here are some of the ways being a volunteer makes you happier and healthier.

Why should I volunteer?

1. It gives you a sense of purpose 

Many volunteers say that they feel a greater sense of purpose. It’s easy to see why. From giving back to a community, to spending your time doing something productive, and learning new skills. There are so many ways that volunteering can help with this. 

Why does this matter? Because having a sense of purpose is not only important for your wellbeing. A recent study showed that having a sense of purpose in life is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (any disease involving the heart or blood vessels, like heart attack or stroke). 

2. It can keep you active and, as a result, healthier 

We all know being active is good for your body and your mind.

Lots of volunteer roles rely on you to get up and get active. There are lots of volunteer activities that will keep you moving. Even making the trip to help at a Heart Foundation event is a good way to get up and out of the house.   

3. It’s social 

A sense of belonging and good relationships are important for personal happiness. For many volunteers, the benefits are social – it’s a way of getting involved in your local community. The more voluntary work you do, the more people you’ll get to meet. It’s the perfect way to meet like-minded friends. What’s more, social support helps recovery following a heart attack or other heart event. 

4. Volunteering is universal 

Ever get the feeling you’re part of something ‘big’ when you volunteer? That’s because you are! Volunteering happens all over the world. Over half of New Zealanders volunteer and that number has been increasing. Think about that. Thousands of people spend their time trying to make things better for other people. 

5. You’re making a difference 

This one’s kind of obvious – but it’s so important it’s worth repeating. When you volunteer you are actively making a positive difference in the world. No matter how big or small, that’s awesome. 

When our Heart Foundation volunteers help at local events, collect funds for heart disease research, or share their personal journey with heart disease, they’re helping to save lives and support others with heart disease. No wonder volunteers feel good. 

What’s it like to volunteer at the Heart Foundation?

Wondering what it’s like to volunteer for us? We asked some of our regular volunteers about ways they get involved. 

Margaret Prince 

Margaret, a retired nurse from Reefton in the Buller area, who has always been community-minded, found herself looking for ways to stay engaged and give back. She became a volunteer area coordinator in the Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Appeal. 

“It’s because of [heart] research that so many people are being saved today,” she says. “I’ve seen it firsthand. That’s why I volunteer – for the chance to make a difference and support something so important.” 

Supporting the Heart Foundation is crucial to Margaret because she believes that it can help prevent heart disease in the future. After a career in healthcare, and with a personal connection to heart disease, she wanted to make a difference. You can read her full story. 

Sunny Naidoo

After having a heart attack in 2009, Sunny wanted to help others affected by heart disease. He has shared his heart attack story for our Journeys programme and on national media to raise awareness.  

“I wanted to share my experiences with those in similar circumstances and tell them that having a heart attack isn’t the end of the world. You can have a new life and a new journey. I also wanted to bring awareness to the public about heart disease.” 

Sunny has completed many Round the Bays events and several Auckland marathons while raising funds for us as his chosen charity. He regularly collects for the Heart Foundation and is always happy to help support us. 

These are just a couple of the hundreds of wonderful people who donate their time and energy to the Heart Foundation every year. 

What’s more, their volunteering isn’t just good for them – it’s vital to us. We couldn’t do our work without them. Because it’s going to take all of us, working together, to stop the ones we love dying too soon from heart disease. 

How can I volunteer for the Heart Foundation?

There are lots of ways you can volunteer for the Heart Foundation. These include helping at events, fundraising, or by sharing your story of heart disease.  

If you do, you’ll be part of a team of hundreds helping to stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease. 

Find out about volunteering for us

References 

Association between life purpose and mortality among US adults older than 50 years.

JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(5):e194270. 

More New Zealanders are volunteering. Tūao Aotearoa | Volunteering New Zealand, Media release 14 April 2025.