Volunteering together to build friendships and strengthen bonds

(Family Features) – Volunteering has always been a big part of Shelley Brosnan’s life, whether she was serving in her children’s school or in their community of Fairfax, Virginia. When Brosnan retired, increasing her volunteer efforts was a natural next step. Serving with Volunteer Fairfax, an AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program, she spends about 10 hours a week teaching new volunteers about helping older adults age in place, providing food for those in need and extending the capacity of local nonprofits.“There’s so much to love about volunteering,” Brosnan said. “Providing purpose and serving the community are obvious reasons, but the connections I make with others are one of the greatest benefits. I just really love helping people and I’ve made friends through volunteering.”Related Stories Brosnan’s experience with volunteering is backed by science.Having a solid social network improves both physical and mental health as it can boost happiness, increase your sense of belonging and improve self-confidence. As people age, many social avenues from earlier phases of life, such as school and work, no longer exist and making friends can be difficult, according to the Mayo Clinic.The clinic suggested volunteering as a beneficial way to make friends and improve social well-being.“Volunteering fosters more...