57% of Brits don’t volunteer – but 33% would like to, survey shows
Melanie May | 30 May 2019 | News
57% of people in the UK don’t participate in any form of volunteer or charity work but 33% say they would like to, according to Foresters Friendly Society research.
The research highlighted a number of reasons for the lack of volunteering, with 35% citing parental duties as the biggest barrier, while 13% are concerned about their lack of experience volunteering, and 10% are worried about affording associated costs.
In addition, 21% believe supporting local communities is down to the government, not volunteers.
However, 33% said they would like to give up their free time this year.
Foresters Friendly Society also found that the most common way for UK adults to volunteer is to act as a carer for elderly or sick family members, followed by childminding, and dog walking.
A third (32%) volunteer alone, while two thirds (68%) participate in these activities with others, most commonly family (30%) or friends (27%).
It has launched its Unsung Heroes campaign to reward someone who gives back to their local community. With a deadline of 7 June, Foresters Friendly Society is asking for nominations with a grand prize of a Virgin Experience Day worth £2,000.
Myles Edwards, Membership Director for Foresters Friendly Society said:
“We have launched the Unsung Heroes campaign to bring further awareness to those selfless individuals who put others before themselves daily and actively contribute to their local communities. In launching our campaign, we hope others will feel inspired to give back, whether that’s spending time to help clean up your local town, or even just getting in touch with those who might feel lonely. We encourage our members and the public to show their appreciation for our real-life heroes whose identity, for the time being, might be unknown.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.