Want to give back this holiday season, but don’t know how? Consider volunteering for a local charity in your community. Explore holiday volunteering opportunities in The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, or Barbados. Volunteering can improve your overall well-being and mental health by providing a sense of purpose.

If in-person volunteering isn’t possible, you can still make a difference by supporting local nonprofits with a financial donation. Every little bit counts!

Volunteering in The Bahamas

If you’re looking for local volunteer opportunities in The Bahamas, here are some organizations making a big impact:

• Hands for Hunger

• Bahamas Red Cross

• Cancer Society of The Bahamas

• Sister Sister Network

• Children Emergency Hostel

• Bahamas Feeding Network

• Lend A Hand Bahamas

• The Salvation Army Bahamas

• The Great Commission Ministries Bahamas: Local Food Bank

• Ranfurly Homes for Children – Nassau, Bahamas Charity – Kids Charity

Volunteering in the Cayman Islands

Want to volunteer in the Cayman Islands or give back through community service? Explore:

• Cayman’s ARK- Acts of Random Kindness

• Feed our Future

• Extend After School Programme (EASP)

• Jasmine (Hospice Care)

• Meals on Wheels

• Cayman Islands Humane Society

Volunteering in Bermuda

There are many ways to make a difference through volunteering in Bermuda. Consider supporting:

• Eliza Dolittle Society Food Bank

• Meals on Wheels Bermuda http://mealsonwheels.bm/mow/

• Windreach Bermuda

• The Family Center

• Coalition for Protection of Children

• Women’s Resource Center

• Bermuda Diabetes Association

• Bermuda Sloop Foundation (Spirit of Bermuda)

• Bermuda SPCA

• Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute

• The Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS)

• Centre Against Abuse

• Habitat for Humanity, Bermuda

• Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda

• Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB)

• Raleigh Bermuda

• Scars

• Special Olympics Bermuda

• Tomorrow’s Voices

Volunteering in Barbados

If you’re interested in volunteering in Barbados, here are some local organizations you can support:

• The Barbados Salvation Army 1 (246) 426-2467 or 1 (246) 436-0295

• ThenWhat? Charity  Contact: Samantha Hazlewood Ermay – 1 (246) 289-5318

• Variety the Children’s Charity of Barbados 1 (246) 266-9258

• The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados 1 (246) 537-3312

• PAREDOS 1 (246) 427-0212

• Hope for Children 1 (246) 420-4788

• The Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness 1 (246) 538-2480

• H.U.R.T Email: nark@getnarked.net

How Volunteering Improves Heart Health

According to Harvard Medical School, many people find that volunteer work helps lower stress, an important factor linked to cardiovascular disease.

“The heart of a volunteer is never in size but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” – Deann Hollis

How can volunteering contribute to lowering blood pressure and reducing your chances of cardiovascular disease?

• Many volunteer positions can increase your daily physical activity, especially for those who are not active. According to study author Rodlescia Sneed—a doctoral candidate in social and health psychology at Carnegie Mellon University—volunteering also provides volunteers with a sense of purpose, gratitude, and appreciation, all of which are important elements for improving our mental well-being.

It’s also important to volunteer for the “right reasons”. A 2012 study in Health Psychology found that participants who volunteered regularly lived longer, but only if their intentions were truly selfless. In other words, volunteer to help others – not to make yourself feel better.

During the holidays, we encourage you to explore local volunteer opportunities across The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and Barbados or lend a helping hand to someone in need. Even small actions can create a big ripple of kindness in your community.

Sources:

 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-201306266428

https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0025226