What makes a successful volunteer?

There is no expectation for volunteers to be perfect. In our experience, the most successful volunteers are simply those who approach their role with commitment, a positive attitude, and a genuine desire to contribute to the LHA community.

A successful volunteer understands that their role matters. Whether supporting reception, housekeeping, catering, or another area of hostel life, every contribution helps in our goal of creating a welcoming and supportive environment for residents, guests, fellow volunteers, and staff.

We encourage volunteers to take pride in what they do and to lead by example. While volunteering with LHA may not have originally been part of everyone's life plan, those who approach the experience with enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to help often gain the most from it. Your actions and behaviour reflect not only on yourself but also on our charity and the wider volunteer community.

When it comes to volunteering duties, remember that you are part of a team. Everyone supports each other to help the hostels run smoothly. We encourage volunteers to complete their duties to the best of their ability, communicate openly if they need support, and take responsibility for the tasks assigned to them. Doing your part helps ensure that other volunteers and staff members do not need to unexpectedly pick up additional duties or resolve avoidable issues later.

We also encourage volunteers to be guided by LHA's values:

• Supportive
• Open and Honest
• Passionate
• Professional
• Knowledgeable
• Welcoming

Perhaps most importantly, we encourage volunteers to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. Be kind, respectful, honest, and understanding. You will likely hear this message many times during your volunteering journey, but it remains one of the simplest and most important principles for creating a positive experience for everyone.

Many volunteers arrive hoping to make a difference and leave having done exactly that. The volunteers who thrive most are often those who embrace the experience, support those around them, remain open to learning, and contribute with pride to LHA's mission and community.