Society's Unheralded Champions - Volunteering

A NATIONAL LOTTERY REPORT 2020

Volunteering

RESPECT FOR VOLUNTEERS HAS SOARED SINCE PANDEMIC BEGAN

Volunteers rank alongside key workers and NHS staff for having the most positive effect on society during the current crisis, new research shows.

Our volunteering culture is part of the glue that bonds our society together.

Now a new study of 6,000 people1, commissioned

by The National Lottery, has revealed that admiration for volunteers has risen since the start of the pandemic, as it has done with NHS staff and key workers.

Over three quarters of people surveyed (77%) admire those who give their time to volunteer to help worthwhile causes and almost two thirds (62%) say they value the work of volunteers more highly since the crisis began in March – ranking them only after essential workers (73%) and NHS workers (70%), and higher than scientists, academics and experts (49%).

Volunteers were also rated highly for their uplifting effect on society. Almost a third of those questioned, 32%, said volunteers were having the most positive impact on society since the pandemic, only lower than NHS workers, 69%, and essential workers, 59%.

The survey also highlighted that we appear to be a nation of volunteers without really knowing it.

Almost 2 in 3 (60%) respondents said they have helped others in the past twelve months, yet only only 1 in 3 (37%) of those people said they had volunteered in the last 12 months.

Many people appear to be providing a wide range of help and support for others in their local area that would be classed as volunteering. Almost one in three (29%) have bought groceries or have run errands for someone vulnerable in their community who couldn’t go to the shops themselves.

Survey completed for The National Lottery by a nationally representative sample of 6,000 adults from across the UK between 2nd and 9th October 2020. Survey scripted, hosted, sampled and data processed by Opinium 1

77%

Over 3 in 4 of all people surveyed (77%) admire those who give their time to volunteer to help worthwhile causes

2 in 3

Almost 2 in 3 (62%) value volunteers more now than before the pandemic

Another 17%, helped someone with a DIY job, 16% helped someone cope with mental health issues, 15% looked after an elderly person and 11% helped someone carry items in the street.

However, it appears many people feel they would need to give their time regularly to class themselves as a ‘volunteer’, with half of respondents (48%) saying you need to frequently commit time to volunteer.

Across the UK, almost one third of the population - nearly 20 million people - volunteered formally within a club, group or organisation at some time last year (2018/19), whilst over one in five (22%) did so regularly (at least once a month)2.

But, to recognise all people who volunteer, The National Lottery has launched Miss Out to Help Out an initiative to encourage the public to miss out on their favourite ITV show and use the time they have saved to help out in their local community. People can go to a dedicated website – www.missouttohelpout.com – to see a range of ways they can help out in the way that suits them.

There are links to a range of organisations across the UK with volunteering opportunities.

Miss Out to Help Out will show how small acts of kindness can make a big difference for people in communities, particularly during the pandemic – if we all do our bit, great things happen.

https://data.ncvo.org.uk/volunteering/

2

3

rd

Volunteers rank 3rd after NHS and essential workers for having had the greatest positive impact during the pandemic

60%

Almost 2 in 3 (60%) of respondents selflessly helped others, yet only 1 in 4 (27%) Brits say they have volunteered in the last 12 months

Faiza Khan MBE, Director of Engagement and Insight at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Millions of volunteers support thousands of organisations across the country every year, giving their time generously for free and helping to support people and communities across the UK. Their remarkable qualities are why they are held in such high esteem by the public, particularly at a time of crisis, when the role of community is more important than ever, but the traditional nature of volunteering has changed due to coronavirus restrictions.

“The National Lottery raises £30 million for good causes that every week that are supported by volunteers and we’re delighted that the work of so many is being recognised by the public this year more than ever.”

Ayesha Arif from Bury Asian Women’s Centre which works to reduce loneliness and isolation, said: “When the pandemic began, I started delivering food parcels for the local council to those in need, but as I was visiting people and checking in to see if they’re ok, I could see that some people weren’t eating the food supplied because some families only eat halal meat and the only meat supplied was not halal.

With the help of £9,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, we set up Bury’s first exclusively halal, kosher and vegetarian food bank which operates out of the Bury Asian Women’s Centre and means more people who need help at this time can get vital meals. I would recommend anyone who has any time available, to see what volunteering opportunities are available in their area. Everyone has the power to make a difference and small moments of kindness can have a huge lasting impact on people’s lives.”

Chris Wilkins, Co-Founder of Sporting Memories, said: “We are of course delighted that Eddie joined us in our online Club. The time he has given has made it a very special session for our Club members, leading to lots of lively conversation and insights into the world of boxing and sport promotion. Volunteers are our lifeblood, and they bring their skills and dedication to over 130 Sporting Memories Clubs each year, across England, Scotland and Wales.

“As a response to the pandemic, we launched our #TalkAboutSport campaign. It is aimed at providing everyone with a way to tackle loneliness, particularly among older people. Our volunteers have moved to running many of our clubs online, provided additional resources to help everyone talk about and remember sport, as well as appearing on our weekly national radio series and handing out our Sporting Pink paper – and that’s just a small selection! We are incredibly proud of them.”

29%

Almost 1 in 3 (29%) have done groceries / run errands for someone vulnerable / who wasn’t able to do it in the last 12 months

1 in 3

Of those that took part in selfless actions to help others, only 1 in 3 (37%) say they volunteered in the last 12 months

48%

Half of respondents (48%) say you need to frequently commit time to volunteer