A recent analysis by Pro Bono Economics (PBE) has found that rates of formal volunteering have reached an all-time low as 40% of charities report that volunteering numbers have been insufficient to enable them to meet their main objectives in the last 12 months.
Small charities appear to have been the hardest hit with falling volunteer numbers. 65% of small charities reported volunteer recruitment difficulties in the last 12 months compared to 58% in the previous 12 months.
On the other hand large charities reported that volunteer recruitment difficulties had eased slightly with 42% reporting difficulties in the last 12 months compared to 51% in the previous 12 months.
Why have volunteering numbers fallen?
PBE have compared their latest findings with the government’s latest community life survey from 2021/22.
This survey found that the main barriers identified for volunteering are:
- Work commitments.
- Lack of time.
- Giving up volunteering to care for others.
Flexible volunteering
In its analysis, PBE suggested that charities could try and offer flexible volunteering opportunities. In theory, this would be a way of enabling individuals to help volunteer in smaller ways with reduced time commitment but could still help them to make a difference with charities they care about.
More from our charity experts
You can find all of our latest charity sector news and newsletters here.
If you are looking for advice in a particular area, please get in touch with your usual Hawsons contact.
Alternatively, we offer all new clients a free initial meeting to have a discussion about their own personal circumstances – find out more or book your free initial meeting here. We have offices in Sheffield, Doncaster and Northampton.
About this Author
Simon Bladen is the partner responsible for looking after the firm’s legal clients and has worked at Hawsons throughout his career. For more information or advice on anything covered in this article, please contact Simon on slb@hawsons.co.uk or 0114 226 7141.[/author_info]
Government Brings Forward Changes to Charity Tax Relief Rules from April 2026
slb@hawsons.co.uk Charity trustees are accustomed to navigating an evolving regulatory environment. While most legislative updates do not alter the day-to-day work of a charity, trustees still need to understand what is changing and whether it affects their...
Cyber Security for Charities: 3 Risks Trustees Should Not Ignore in 2026
matt@bruceandbutler.com slb@hawsons.co.uk As a trustee, you're used to keeping a close eye on governance, finance, and compliance. But how often does cyber security come up in board discussions? Charities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Not...
Charity Accounts Late Filing: Why it is on the Rise
slb@hawsons.co.uk A Wake-Up Call for Charity Boards Research has found that late charity account filings rose by 51% in 2023/24. This is a concerning increase, but the context matters. In many cases, late filing is not simply a sign of weak governance. It reflects the...