Time well spent: impact of covid-19 on the volunteer experience

We have examined a wide range of studies on the impact of the covid-19 pandemic. While these studies provide useful insights into changes in volunteering infrastructure, public attitudes and sentiments, and an increase in the volunteering population, this research has primarily focused on the volunteer experience: how the pandemic has impacted the experience of volunteers and directly capturing their voices. Reflecting on the themes and characteristics of pandemic volunteering, this section more broadly explores some of the tensions that this research has uncovered in volunteers and identifies potential risks as we emerge from the crisis.

A series of existing studies have painted a rather optimistic picture of the volunteer wellbeing. A study of the NHS Volunteer Responder reported an improved wellbeing because of volunteering. On the contrary, the evidence from this research has consistently shown an elevated level of anxiety and fatigue among pandemic volunteers as well as their strong sense of guilt. Guilt-stricken volunteers suffer from burnout. Reflected on the past two years, one focus group participant said:

Volunteer-involving organisations must therefore prioritise supporting and rebuilding the emotional wellbeing of volunteers before encouraging them to continue or return to volunteering. Perhaps sometimes, the right thing for the volunteer might be to not volunteer. Some resources offer practical tips to help organisations support volunteer wellbeing by making volunteering personal, social and supportive. The Vision for Volunteering also encourages a greater appreciation for the role of volunteers. A thank you card or token of appreciation was one item that our participants mentioned when asked how their organization could support volunteers.

The large-scale volunteering schemes provided flexibility and digital recruitment that ultimately reached a more diverse pool of volunteers. We have however observed that this did not help some new volunteers form a substantial sense of connection, and therefore they were unlikely to continue volunteering. Digital did not fully resolve common barriers to volunteering such as paid employment. Moreover, studies of virtual volunteering and digital accessibility have suggested that it created a digital volunteering divide, and those without access have limited volunteering opportunities.

The current research adds another dimension to virtual volunteering – some volunteers, despite having access to digital technology, still preferred doing volunteering in person and therefore stopped volunteering all together. In our workshop, representatives from volunteer-involving organisations called digital a “double-edged sword”, and we have seen focus group participants show a mixed response to virtual volunteering. Volunteers struggled to feel connected through virtual volunteering, though they appreciated the ease and reach it provides. Organisations now face the challenging task of balancing accessibility and connection through digital.

Even after the pandemic restrictions officially ended, volunteering levels are at a record low. The extent to which the pandemic changed volunteer recruitment and retention is a complex question that requires a large data set beyond the scope of this research. However, our interviews have shown that while some reported a large increase in recruitment, others observed that long-term volunteers stopped volunteering and have not yet returned.

This resonated with some of the focus group participants. When asked whether he would return to volunteering after the pandemic, one of the participants who started volunteering during the pandemic replied:

Even among those who continued volunteering, similar opinions were heard. One mentioned having to drive a long distance to attend a weekend of training, saying: “[Organisations] need to realise people have lives outside of volunteering.”

Volunteers are re-evaluating priorities in their life, and volunteering may not come at the top of their list. A survey conducted in late 2020 found that the UK public looked forward to enjoying simple pleasures in life and spending time with friends after the pandemic far more than supporting their local community or donating money or goods. Another participant observed:

The difficulty in volunteer recruitment may be attributed to a profound change in attitudes to volunteering. As a result of the pandemic, volunteering became more flexible, with many dipping in and out of volunteering. Community Life Survey data shows that while levels informal volunteering rose, the total time spent in volunteering fell during the pandemic. Reflecting on the shift, a workshop participant who facilitated covid vaccine hubs observed this shift in volunteers:

Whether volunteering has become “transactional” requires further investigation. One study points to shifting perceptions of volunteering as individuals want to become part of a wider “movement” – as exemplified by mass testing and vaccination schemes. The volunteers we interviewed, especially those who volunteered for the first time, shared a sense of altruism and belonging to the nationwide battle against the virus, rather than a group or organisation. Hence, the end of the schemes signaled the end of their volunteering. This change in the perception of volunteering serves as a potential barrier to volunteer recruitment and retention.

Whether volunteering has become “transactional” requires further investigation. One study points to shifting perceptions of volunteering as individuals want to become part of a wider “movement” – as exemplified by mass testing and vaccination schemes. The volunteers we interviewed, especially those who volunteered for the first time, shared a sense of altruism and belonging to the nationwide battle against the virus, rather than a group or organisation. Hence, the end of the schemes signaled the end of their volunteering. This change in the perception of volunteering serves as a potential barrier to volunteer recruitment and retention.