# 1 in 10 people would volunteer this winter if asked

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/12/05/1-in-10-people-would-volunteer-this-winter-if-asked/
- Published: 2022-12-05T09:00:00+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**A study by Charities Aid Foundation suggests that charities could tap into an 
extra 34 million hours of volunteering time this winter, with 1 in 10 people saying
they’d give up a day to a local charity, group or club if personally asked.**

[CAF](https://www.cafonline.org/) questioned 1,199 people in October, releasing 
the findings today on UN International Volunteer Day. From its findings, it suggests
that there are potentially 1 million new volunteers that charities could recruit,
with a quarter (24%) of those surveyed saying they were very likely to volunteer
and had not done so already over the last 12 months.

More than three quarters (78%) said they believe that volunteering can really make
a difference in local communities, while four-fifths (81%) agree that people in 
their community will find it difficult to manage financially over the coming months.

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Alison Taylor, CEO of CAF Bank and CAF Charity Services, said:

> “Most UK charities rely on huge numbers of people who generously give up their
> time to help.  International Volunteer Day 2022 provides a chance to celebrate
> their work and show how we can all contribute through volunteering.
>  
> “At a time when people may find it difficult to help charities financially, donating
> your time can be an invaluable way to support charities and their vital work in
> your local community.”

Solette Sheppardson, CEO of [Voluntary Support North Surrey](https://voluntarysupport.org.uk/),
said:

> “Everybody’s journey in volunteering is individual and their reasons for giving
> back will be personal to them.  But the impact they make is universal.  We see
> time and again that volunteers through third sector organisations reach and support
> some of the most vulnerable in our society.  They shape our communities.”

According to research from the Office for National Statistics, every year, formal
volunteering through a group, club, or organisation adds approximately £24 billion
of value to the economy.

CAF’s polling also shows that many people engage in informal volunteering with 22%
of respondents looking after a child or pet for a friend, relative, or neighbour,
and 12% helping an elderly or vulnerable person in October.

This year’s UN International Volunteer Day celebrates the theme of solidarity through
volunteering. 

 * **[Volunteering intentions from young adults could see extra 2.5mn give their time this year](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/01/04/volunteering-intentions-from-young-adults-could-see-extra-2-5mn-give-their-time-this-year/)**(
   4 January 2023)
 * **[UK’s over 50s spend 807mn days a year caring or volunteering](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/01/13/uks-over-50s-spend-807mn-days-a-year-caring-or-volunteering/)**(
   13 January 2023)
 * **[Raleigh International returns under private ownership](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/01/19/raleigh-international-returns-under-private-ownership/)**(
   19 January 2023)