Looking for a way to improve your health and well-being? Consider volunteering. 

For those who regularly volunteer, there’s a lower risk of mortality and better physical function as you age, according to research. Volunteering can also improve mental health, as many volunteers form friendships and find a sense of fulfillment through supporting their communities. 

And when volunteers come together, community health flourishes too — an outlook that New England organizations understand firsthand. 

How volunteering benefits your health

Research reflects that after completing an act of kindness, many experience a “helper’s high,” or positive emotional state, thought to be caused by the release of feel-good hormones in the brain. 

“Volunteering builds self-confidence and gives someone a sense of purpose knowing they’re able to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” shares Stacey Mann, director of corporate citizenship for Point32Health, a not-for-profit health and well-being organization.

When working with others toward a common goal, there are social connections that naturally form, which can build support systems and help combat loneliness. Volunteering has also been shown to reduce stress, which can decrease the risk for anxiety and depression, as well as heart disease, stroke, and other health issues. 

Giving back through art

Located in Manchester, N.H., Currier Museum of Art relies on volunteer support for many of its programs, but it also contributes to the health and well-being of its community in another way — through the works of art on display. 

“Science increasingly shows that spending time around art — whether you are appreciating or making it — has significant positive impacts on health, from lowering cortisol levels to improving mood,” notes Ali Goldstein, director of marketing and communications at the Currier.

The museum offers a space for visitors to engage with art and connect with a creative community through events that include free monthly museum admission for New Hampshire residents, art activities, and artist talks, as well as 15 outreach programs for underserved communities and virtual guide-facilitated conversations about the Currier’s art collection for individuals all over the globe. Free guided tours are also offered for all New Hampshire schools. 

Volunteers are central to the Currier’s mission  — and they may get two health and well-being boosts, both from their volunteer efforts and from being immersed in art. 

Goldstein shares that the volunteers appreciate the connections they build and the impact they’re able to make through donating their time to the museum and its programs. “Their passion allows others in our community to take their first step into the arts,” she adds. 

Coming together for community health

“Supporting communities through volunteerism is one way we advance community health and make a difference in the communities where we live and work,” shares Mann. As the parent company to regional health insurers Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, Point32Health views corporate citizenship as integral to its mission to guide and empower healthier lives for all.  

“Volunteering helps people better understand the disparities that exist around them, develop new skills and experiences, and connect with others who share similar interests and values,” she says. 

In 2024, Point32Health employees volunteered with organizations across New England for more than 13,000 hours, which is in part thanks to the 24 hours of paid time off employees are allotted to use for volunteering each year. And through the company’s Match Program, which resulted in $1.4 million donated to over 600 nonprofits last year, employees can contribute to the causes they care most about.  

There’s a clear impact for organizations that come together for community health. 

Catie’s Closet — which teams up with community volunteers from organizations including Point32Health — provides life-changing access to clothing and basic necessities for children in need. The organization supports 100,000 children across Massachusetts and New Hampshire through its two core programs.

“Catie’s Closet’s work and impact would not be possible without the help of our generous and compassionate community members,” shares Mickey Cockrell, CEO and cofounder of the organization.

Its In-School Closet Program allows students to shop free of charge for clothing and essentials in a discreet, welcoming space inside their schools, while its SOS Urgent Response Program provides customized packages to children who are transitioning between stable living conditions. Volunteer opportunities with the organization include hosting clothing drives, sorting clothing donations, and becoming a “Closet Champion” who keeps an assigned closet stocked to help make each student’s shopping experience positive.

“Clothing is critically important to a child’s health and well-being,” says Cockrell. “Students have shared with us that their In-School Closet has helped with bullying [issues], mental health struggles, self-esteem, fitting in with peers, and participation in class.”

Become a volunteer

For New Englanders looking to make a difference in their community while improving their own health and well-being, Mann has some recommendations on how to get started:

1. Consider how much of your time you can give.
2. Determine if you’d prefer a short-term project or a long-term commitment.
3. Identify a cause that’s important to you.

Once you’ve got that covered, it’s time to explore nonprofits in your area. “Search online, attend volunteer fairs, talk to friends, or, if your workplace has one, reach out to your corporate citizenship team,” she suggests. 

Committing to one project or volunteer opportunity is all that it takes to get started in making a difference for your community and yourself — just don’t be surprised if you’re hooked after that first “helper’s high” hits. 

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Point32Health company, provides nationally ranked health plans and care-based programs and services to nearly 900,000 members in New England and beyond. Founded by doctors more than 50 years ago, it builds on that legacy and partnerships through an expansive network of doctors and hospitals nationwide to improve health outcomes and lower costs through clinical quality and innovative care management.  A leading, not-for-profit health and well-being company, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care guides members — and the communities it serves — to better health each day.

In 2024, Point32Health companies — including Harvard Pilgrim — and its Foundation gave nearly $14M in grants, matching gifts, sponsorships, volunteer time, in-kind and other contributions to the community through nonprofit organizations.