Latest research showcases a mixed picture on the time and the availability of volunteers. According to the latest results of the Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer, 40% of the 710 respondents have experienced a decrease in the amount of unpaid time contributed by volunteers since March with just 27% reporting an increase.
Additionally, 35% of organisations noted a decrease in the number of people volunteering during the covid-19 pandemic. Almost half (45%) of organisations questioned said that their numbers stayed the same, while only 20% benefited from an increase.
However, these findings are in relation to formal volunteering for charities. As such, they do not include the volunteers who have come forward to support formal volunteering programmes in the public sector such as the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, nor other forms of informal volunteering which have increased during the pandemic.
Producing timely snapshots of the impact of covid-19 within the voluntary and community sector, the Barometer is one part of a major research project, 'Respond, Recover, Reset: The Voluntary Sector and Covid-19', led by Nottingham Trent University, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Sheffield Hallam University.
Findings from the fourth round of the monthly survey demonstrate the impact of the latest restrictions on the finances of voluntary organisations, with 40% reporting a deteriorating financial position in the last month, and 37% expecting this to get worse over the next four weeks.
Along with the growing financial challenges, pressure on the sector also looks set to increase with 47% expecting demand for their services to grow over the next month.
Daniel King, Professor of Organisation Studies at Nottingham Trent University and project lead said:
"The results show that organisations are still facing major challenges, both with regards to their finances and the number of volunteers upon which many of them rely to run their services.
"We understand that the unique nature of the pandemic and its consequences, including lockdowns, shielding, social distancing measures, remote-working, home-schooling and a considerable decrease in social activities, can act as a barrier to the normal pattern of volunteering.
"However, it is important to encourage people to continue to volunteer across the charity and community wherever possible, both for the benefit of the organisations and for personal wellbeing. Academic studies show that volunteering can help individuals feel purposeful at the time of crisis, it enables them to cope with anxiety of being exposed to negative news and also helps to establish a sense of solidarity through joining others in working towards a common purpose."
Sarah Vibert, interim chief executive of NCVO, said:
"The research demonstrates a varied experience in relation to volunteer involvement. While some organisations are experiencing a rise in volunteer numbers and the time given by volunteers, more have seen a decline.
"This decline in formal volunteer involvement is a result of current environmental factors rather than a decline in interest. Throughout this pandemic we have seen a shift from formal to more informal volunteering roles for a variety reasons including caring responsibilities, shielding requirements, and people looking to help where there is seen to be immediate need.
"However, this shift in volunteering could impact smaller, local charities who are reliant on volunteer support, particularly at a time of increasing demand for services and decreasing incomes. In this time of ongoing change, organisations must examine both volunteer recruitment and the retention of existing volunteers. We need to look at how we can engage more effectively with potential and existing volunteers and consider new and innovative ways in which they can contribute to the vital work of charities across the country."
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For any further questions, please contact Muireann Montague on 020 7520 2469 or email muireann.montague@ncvo.org.uk.