Resilience for Volunteers

Guest Blogger Paul Edworthy

In Part 1 of this blog, we explored how resilient volunteers learn to spot growth over change and how broken trust can be rebuilt. In this second part, we'll look at two other vital aspects of resilience: setting healthy emotional boundaries, and holding onto hope in small, measurable steps. Volunteering is not just about what we give to others, it's also about how we care for ourselves so we can keep showing up in the long run.

Emotional Boundaries: Staying Compassionate, Staying Well

Burnout is a real risk in volunteering, especially when we care deeply. We can begin to carry emotional weight that isn't ours, feel over- responsible for others' progress, and lose sight of our own wellbeing.

But here's the truth: we are not saviours. We are companions, guides, and signposts. Healthy emotional boundaries help us:

 - Say no when we're stretched. 
 - Recognise what's ours to carry and what isn't. 
 - Be fully present without becoming overwhelmed.  
 - Love well without losing ourselves. 

Boundaries are not barriers. They're structures that protect both people. When we model good boundaries, we give others permission to do the same, something many have never experienced. The clearer we are about what we can offer (and what we can't), the more trustworthy and sustainable we become.

Hope in Small, Measurable Steps

Hope can be hard to hold onto, both for those we serve and for ourselves. Progress is often slow, and people may seem stuck or discouraged. That's why hope needs to be grounded in small, realistic, measurable steps.

One of the most powerful things we can do as volunteers is to help people:

- Identify one achievable next step. 
- Take ownership of that step. 
- Celebrate it when it happens. 

Examples include:

- Showing up on time.
- Reaching out for help instead of withdrawing. 
- Responding with honesty in a tough conversation. 
- Making one positive financial decision. 
- Choosing to try again after a setback. 

Each of these is a seed of hope. And when we celebrate them, we help build momentum. We reinforce the belief that change is possible, growth is happening, and the future can look different from the past.

Walking With, Not Working On

Resilient volunteers remember: we walk with people, not work on them.

The person you're supporting is not a project to fix. They are a human being of immense value, dignity, and purpose. Growth can't be forced. Trust can't be demanded. But we can show up consistently. We can stay humble. We can keep believing in someone's future, even when they struggle to see it themselves.

For the Long Haul

If you're a volunteer, don't underestimate the power of your presence. Not your performance. Not your perfect solutions. Just your steady, faithful presence. Be someone who stays. Someone who listens. Someone who notices and celebrates the little wins.

Take care of your own heart so you can keep serving from a place of strength, not depletion. Because this work isn't just about helping others, it's about being shaped and transformed yourself. In the end, it's not just those we serve who grow. We grow too.

Reflection Questions:

- How am I caring for myself emotionally in this work?

- Where might I need to re-establish trust with someone?

- Am I walking with people, or trying to fix them?

You can find the original blog, along with others at:  www.edworthycoaching.com/blog

*Opinions expressed in guest posts are those of the author, and do not represent any official position held by Jubilee+.*