# Half of UK adults plan to volunteer this year

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/01/10/half-of-uk-adults-plan-to-volunteer-this-year/
- Published: 2024-01-10T08:16:06+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Half (50%) of UK adults intend to take part in local volunteering activities (
formal and informal) in 2024 – with 14% planning to volunteer for the first time,
according to new research from The National Lottery Community Fund.**

Among those who intend to volunteer this year, 30% said in food banks, 30% the environment,
29% supporting older people, and 29% working at charity shops (29%).

[The National Lottery Community Fund’s](http://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/) annual
Community Research Index surveyed over 8,000 people across the UK**. **It found 
that three quarters (76%) predict continued rising demand for local food banks in
the year ahead, along with greater local need for debt advice (71%), mental health
support (70%) and housing charities (63%).

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Looking to the longer-term future and people’s aspirations for their community, 
a third of those surveyed (32%) identify reduced poverty and deprivation as among
the top three changes they would like to see for the next generation.

Seven in ten (72%) say it’s important to them to feel part of their local community,
and six in ten (59%) say community spirit is strong where they live. 61% say they
feel part of their local community with 45% saying that having an opportunity to
meet people is a benefit of being part of their community.

64% are willing to work with others to improve their local community, but only around
half feel they have the opportunity (52%) or ability to play a role (46%).

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: 

> “It’s clear that 2024 will be another year where communities pull together to 
> tackle shared challenges and to support each other. A continued sense of community
> spirit and belonging, and a desire to be involved (including volunteering) are
> welcome bright spots that set the tone for the year ahead.
>  
> “Local people know what their community needs and have the passion, energy and
> know-how to make it happen. This year they will have even more grassroots funding
> support as we have doubled the amount and term of our small grants programme, 
> National Lottery Awards for All. It’s a key part of our drive to use our funding
> to strengthen society and improve lives across the UK in 2024 and beyond.”

 * **[Overwhelmingly positive experience of volunteers revealed in new report](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/01/25/overwhelmingly-positive-experience-of-volunteers-revealed-in-new-report/)**(
   25 January 2024)
 * **[Organisations in need of volunteers invited to take part in 2024 edition of The Big Help Out](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/01/30/organisations-in-need-of-volunteers-invited-to-take-part-in-2024-edition-of-the-big-help-out/)**(
   30 January 2024)
 * **[Volunteers’ Week returns on 3-9 June – its 40th anniversary](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/03/26/volunteers-week-returns-on-3-9-june-its-40th-anniversary/)**(
   26 March 2024)