Volunteers are proving to be an “overlooked cure” for some of today’s most pressing health challenges.
Around the world, well-being is on the decline. The COVID-19 pandemic reversed years of progress, fueling a rise in loneliness, isolation, and mental health struggles. The World Health Organization has even declared loneliness a global public health concern.
But there is hope through volunteering. By creating social connections, offering compassion, and building resilient communities, volunteers are helping people feel cared for and less alone.
We are excited to share our new publication, Communities of Practice: Good Health & Well-Being, which brings together insights from six presenters at the 2024 World Volunteer Conference in Busan. Their stories highlight volunteer initiatives that are:
• Combating isolation and loneliness
• Supporting healthy aging and intergenerational connection
• Tackling suicide prevention and mental health challenges
• Creating spaces of care and listening for the most vulnerable
These examples from across the globe demonstrate the transformative power of volunteering to advance health and well-being worldwide.
As we look ahead to the 2026 World Volunteer Conference in Riyadh, we see this publication as both a reflection of the ideas that blossomed in Busan and an invitation to continue shaping the future of volunteering together.
