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Trends in volunteering

Overall levels of volunteering have remained stable since 2001. In 2007/08 73% of adults in England were involved in some form of volunteering. [1] Currently 17.7 million people in England volunteer at least once a year and 11.1 million every month. [2] Recently there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people enquiring about volunteering opportunities both through Volunteer Centres, who have seen an 87% rise, [3] and volunteer involving organisations (VIOs). This has been linked to rising levels of unemployment in the current recession, people seeking ways to use their time productively and gain skills that will help them get back into work.

The ways in which people volunteer has changed. There has been a shift towards more short term volunteering and one-off activities, and people now tend to volunteer at more than one organisation. This may be because of increasingly hectic lifestyles, and diverse interests. The motivation to volunteer may become more focused on benefits to the individual rather than the community. There continues to be interest in active citizenship and volunteering from policy makers and political parties.

What are the implications?

• More professional volunteer structures as the expectations of volunteers change.
• Increased levels of complexity for organisations and particularly for those who manage volunteers.
• Increase in short-term and one off volunteers meaning a difficulty in recruiting and retaining volunteers for longer term roles.
• Challenges in matching the demand with actual volunteering opportunities
• Potential pressure on volunteer involving organisations to become involved in schemes to address worklessness (see labour market driver)

Moving forward

With increased interest and demand for volunteering opportunities the number of volunteers are likely to significantly increase across the public and voluntary sectors.

• How can your organisation respond to the rise in demand for volunteering opportunities?
• Should you invest in volunteer recruitment and management?
• Are the volunteering opportunities you are offering meeting the needs of a more diverse pool of potential volunteers?
• How might the services you offer change with increased reliance on volunteers as opposed to staff?

A continued shift towards more short term volunteering away from longer term commitments may mean it becomes harder to fill longer term roles.

• Could offering more flexible volunteering opportunities help you keep committed volunteers engaged in your work (e.g. flexible hours or drop-in centres)?
• Do people have to be on-site to volunteer with you? Could they contribute from a distance?
• Are you able to clearly demonstrate the link between volunteering and employability to attract longer term commitments?

Want to know more?

Citizenship Survey: April 2008-March 2009, England

Published by: Communities and Local Government - a government department

Date: 2009

Format: PDF

What is it? A report providing detailed information and statistics on volunteering activity and civil renewal.

How useful is this? Data from the Citizenship Survey is used widely by organisations and individuals in publications and reports on the VCS.

Dramatic increase in number of volunteers as recession takes hold

Published by: Volunteering England

Date: April 2009

Format: Web

What is it? Press release highlighting the increase in numbers of people looking for volunteering opportunities during the recession.

How useful is this? Gives statistics on the increse in enquires to Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Involving Organisations for volunteering opportunities. Provides views from leaders of volunteer infrastructure and volunteer involving organisations on the impact of the recession for their sector.

The benefits of volunteering for employability - key findings

Published by: The Institute for Volunteering Research

Date: April 2009

Format: Web

What is it? Gives a summary of the key benefits of volunteering for employability found as part of the research

How useful is this? Provides useful and accessible information on the benefits of employability from volunteering from the perspective of a variety of organisations and volunteers. The full report will be published shortly and will also provide good practice advice for Volunteer Centres on employability focused projects.

Rapid rise in recession hit professionals volunteering for hard up charities

Published by: Philanthropy UK

Date: March 2009

Format: Web

What is it? Provides some figures on increased numbers of professions, such as lawyers, bankers and accountants, volunteering in charities. It describes the benefits for charities, private sector organisations and individuals in these industries, particularly in relation to the impact of the current recession.

How useful is this? Gives a philanthropic view of the benefits of volunteering during the recession and beyond.

References

1. The UK Civil Society Almanac 2009 [back]
2. The UK Civil Society Almanac 2009 [back]
3. The benefits of volunteering for employability - The Institute for Volunteering Research, April 2009 [back]