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In 2007 73% of
all adults in England and Wales volunteered (formally or informally).
Almost half the population (48%) did so at least once a month. In
2007, 63% of adults in England volunteered informally, while 45% of
adults volunteered formally.
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Volunteering
is popular with young and old. 53% of young people aged 16-19 have
volunteered with a club or organisation at least once in the last 12
months, while 78% have given unpaid help on an informal basis. 28% of
over 75's have volunteered with a club or organisation at least once
in the last 12 months, while 46% have given unpaid help on an
informal basis.
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Women are more
likely to volunteer than men. In 2007 31% of women regularly
volunteered formally compared to 24% of men.
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Black African
(31%), White (29%), Black Caribbean (28%) and Indian (27%) people
were all more likely to volunteer formally on a regular basis.
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Helping Out, a
national survey of volunteering and charitable giving carried out by
IVR and NatCen for the Cabinet Office in 2007 found that 36% of
employees worked for an organisation with an employer-supported
volunteering scheme. Of these employees, 29% had participated in the
scheme over the last year.
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Over 42,000
students volunteer through organised volunteering programmes at their
university or college. Each student volunteer gives on average 82
hours per year to their community, contributing nearly £1,000
per year to the economy.
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Sport and
recreation accounts for 26% of all volunteering in the UK and
provides a workforce equivalent to 180,000 fulltime workers.
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Volunteering
is good for you. 63% of 25-34 year olds and 62% of over 65's say
volunteering helps them feel less stressed, while 71% of volunteers
who offer their professional skills and experience say volunteering
helps combat depression. Nearly half of all volunteers say
volunteering has improved their physical health and fitness.
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Volunteering
helps you lead a healthier life. Twenty-two percent of 18 to 24 year
olds say volunteering helps them cut down on alcohol and 30% say
volunteering helps them smoke less.
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Levels of
volunteering relate to levels of happiness. Research published in
2004 indicated that people living in areas with a high level of civic
participation were happier with their lives.
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One survey
found that volunteering was the second greatest source of individual
joy, behind dancing.
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Six out of ten
volunteers said volunteering gave them an opportunity to learn new skills.
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Annually
volunteering was worth over £48 billion in England and Wales.
This is the equivalent contribution to the economy made by people
involved in their local community based on the national average wage.
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Volunteers
spend an average of 3 working weeks a year giving unpaid help through
groups, clubs and organisations. This is the equivalent of around 1
million full-time workers involved in their local communities.
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82% of
non-volunteers stated 'not enough spare time' as a reason for not
volunteering in 2007.
