7 Ways Volunteering Creates Real Connection Among Women & REVAMP Clothing Swap Festival

By Patty Roe, Founder & Executive Director, PS Society

At PS Society, service is not an add-on. It is a pillar.

I think serving together builds connection in a way that feels natural, grounded, and sustainable, especially for women who experience social anxiety, busy lives, or hesitation around traditional networking spaces.

Volunteering has helped me break into communities as a person who isn't comfortable with small talk or starting conversation with strangers. Most times I have given back, there hasn't been a continuance of community with the people I work alongside. Instead it's a one and done meeting. That is the sole reason PS Society exists... to create a space for women at any comfort level to join us and learn how easy it is to meet women, stay connected, and learn tools to help those connections grow in a positive way.

Here are seven research-supported ways volunteering creates meaningful connection among women, and why we continue to center service in everything we do.

1. Shared tasks reduce social pressure

   When women volunteer together, the focus shifts from “How do I show up socially?” to “What needs to get done?” Hands-on tasks provide built-in structure that eases social anxiety and removes the pressure to perform or impress.

   
   

2. Side-by-side work builds trust faster than face-to-face conversation

   Psychological research shows that working in tandem, rather than directly across from one another, increases feelings of safety and ease. Side-by-side activity allows connection to form without forced vulnerability, which is especially helpful for women who are shy, introverted, or socially fatigued.

   
   

3. Volunteering strengthens a sense of belonging

   Studies consistently link volunteering to increased feelings of belonging and social connectedness. Women who volunteer report stronger social bonds and a greater sense of being part of something meaningful, which is a core antidote to loneliness.

   
   

4. Helping others improves mental well-being

   Research shows that volunteers experience lower stress levels, improved mood, and increased life satisfaction. Many report that volunteering helps reduce anxiety and provides a sense of grounding and purpose. These benefits are amplified when service is done together rather than alone.

   
   

5. Shared purpose creates instant common ground

   Volunteering removes the awkward “getting to know you” phase. Everyone is there for the same reason. That shared mission creates immediate commonality, making conversation easier and relationships more authentic from the start.

   
   

6. Service builds relationships that last

   Unlike one-time social events, volunteering often involves collaboration, follow-through, and shared wins. These elements build trust over time, leading to deeper, more sustainable relationships rather than surface-level connections.

   
   

7. Serving together strengthens community beyond the moment

   When women serve together, they do not just leave with a good feeling. They leave with a shared experience. Those shared experiences become the foundation for future connection, leadership, and community growth.

   
   

   This is why service is not just something we do at PS Society. It is how we build community while giving back.

   
   

Serving Together in Action: REVAMP Clothing Swap Festival

On January 17th, PS Society will volunteer together at The REVAMP, Clothing Swap Festival, created by Amanda Sweet.

REVAMP Clothing Swap Festival is more than an event. It is a thoughtfully designed experience centered on sustainability, fashion, fun, and giving back to the community. Amanda is a seasoned organizer with a truly well-oiled operation, and she makes volunteering feel meaningful, organized, and appreciated.

When we asked Amanda how PS Society could help most, she shared the volunteer shifts that are hardest to fill. We did not hesitate. We stepped in where support is most needed.

That alignment matters to us. Service should feel intentional, respectful, and impactful, not chaotic or transactional. Volunteering with Amanda feels like being part of something done well and done with care.

We could not be more excited for Saturday and cannot wait to see everyone there.

Join Us

Visit our website's event page to sign up and volunteer alongside us. Whether this is your first PS Society experience or one of many, we would love to serve with you.

Because when we serve together, we do not just give back. We build community, ease social anxiety, and create relationships that last.

P.S. In community, we grow!