Did you know that volunteering is good for you?

Research commissioned to celebrate the launch of the Year of the Volunteer found that 72% of people are more likely to keep new year's resolutions if they directly benefit others.

Other research has found that volunteering can can:

• Help you lose weight and get fit
  
• Make you feel less stressed
  
• Be something different to do with your family/ friends
  
• Give you valuable work experience and skills
  
• Be an opportunity to try out new activities
  
• Help you meet new people and make new friends
  
• Even improve your health – research shows volunteers find they smoke and drink less
  
• Boosts your sex life

So however you plan to thrive in 2005, volunteering can go a long way to helping you get there.

How do I volunteer?
There are numerous organisations crying out for volunteers - and several websites that will help you find out more information, including:

Year of the Volunteer

Community Service Volunteers

Timebank

You can even combine volunteering with backing the London 2012 Olympic bid:
Volunteer 2012