Volunteers Week comes at a critical time for the charity sector. Volunteer numbers are down and if the trends continue, the very foundations of community support could be at risk.
Formal volunteering rates have declined significantly according to Government data, published by DCMS in December 2024. Only 16% of adults volunteered at least once a month in 2023/24 – down from 27% in 2013/14.
Even more starkly, the proportion of adults volunteering at least once a year has fallen from 45% to just 28% over the same period.
The decline is particularly pronounced among older age groups, with volunteering among those aged 55-64 dropping from 26% to just 12% between 2012 and 2024. Among those over 65, participation fell from 28% to 17%.
This trend threatens to undermine the wealth of experience and dedication that older volunteers traditionally bring to charitable causes.
There is some good news, however. A recent NFP Research report found that young people aged 16-24 have increased their volunteering from 21% in 2012 to 32% in 2024.
Don't use it, lose it?
A new study conducted by Cebr, on behalf of the Royal Voluntary Service, shows that less than one in five (19%) with volunteering programmes, offer volunteering days to all their employees. This is despite the fact that nearly two thirds (62%) of businesses say they offer volunteering days.
Additionally, the research found that many businesses cite a lack of flexible one-off volunteering opportunities and difficulties in finding the right roles, as reasons why these volunteering programmes are not being maximised.
Overall, the report states that 140 million hours went unused in the last 12 months, as many struggle to find the right opportunities. Royal Voluntary Service, who are planning to launch a new free digital platform to help provide more flexible volunteering opportunities claim that fully utilising employee volunteering could generate a £32.5bn boost to the UK economy.
As Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service commented: 'Volunteer recruitment and retention is becoming increasingly difficult for many charities. There’s a keen desire to volunteer, we just need to remove barriers and widen access with opportunities to fit into modern life.'
The case for statutory volunteering leave
The research suggests that time (or lack of!) is the most significant barrier to volunteering, particularly for those people who possess valuable skills and experience.
This is why CFG is supporting the campaign for statutory volunteering leave, which would provide employees with the right to request time for voluntary service.
National charities including Sea Cadets, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, and the Scout Association wrote to Prime Minister in February, calling for 35 hours of paid statutory volunteering leave per year.
They wrote: 'Volunteers are the backbone of our communities – from St John Ambulance units and Scout groups to food banks and support networks for hospitals. Yet, without greater support, these vital services are at risk.'
As Martin Coles, CEO of Sea Cadets, notes: "The introduction of statutory volunteering leave would empower more people to step forward and give back to society."
We believe that such legislation would not only help to remove barriers to volunteering but also demonstrate the government's commitment to empowering civil society.
Sign this petition to support the campaign for the government to introduce the right for all UK employees to ask for up to 35 hours of paid volunteer leave each year.