# Younger people & ethnic minority groups most likely to volunteer this year, report finds

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/04/04/younger-people-ethnic-minority-groups-most-likely-to-volunteer-this-year-report-finds/
- Published: 2024-04-04T13:46:10+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Young people and those from ethnic minority communities are the most likely to
volunteer with their local communities this year, according to a new report from
the National Lottery Community Fund.**

The [report](https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/insights/2023-24-community-research-index)
reveals findings from the [National Lottery Community Fund](http://www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk)‘
s latest Community Research Index, providing insights into the priorities and concerns
of people across the UK, and their priorities and aspirations for their local community.

Topics covered included volunteering, and of the 8,000 people surveyed, half (50%)
said they intend to volunteer – formally or informally – in their local community
in 2024, with more than one in 10 respondents (14%) planning to volunteer for the
first time.

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At least 73% of people from ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities) said 
they intend to volunteer this year, compared to 45% of white respondents, and 58%
of white minorities.

65% of people aged 16-34 said they intend to volunteer this year.

#### Favoured causes

Those who said they intend to volunteer were most likely to want to volunteer with
food banks (30%), the environment (30%), supporting older people, (29%) charity 
shops (29%) and supporting young people (21%)

Younger people who said they intend to volunteer were most likely to want to help
out in charity shops and food banks (both 34% for 16-24 year olds), while older 
respondents were more likely to prioritise the environment or supporting older people.

#### Community feelings

Seven in ten (72%) of those surveyed said that it is important to them to feel part
of their local community. 64% are willing to work with others to improve their local
community while a similar percentage (63%) think that people in their area can make
a real change by getting involved. However, only around half feel they have the 
opportunity (52%) or ability to play a role (46%).

#### Funding for community groups

The National Lottery Community Fund has also announced that £12 million has been
awarded to nine community groups across the UK through The UK Fund to tackle some
of the big social issues facing communities.

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

> “We are committed to distributing at least £4 billion in National Lottery funding
> to UK communities by 2030 and using it to strengthen society and improve lives.
> Supporting people to come together is key to this. Feeling part of a community
> is a powerful thing and it’s great to see that reflected in both our report and
> the grants we’ve announced. Now, thanks to National Lottery players and our UK
> Fund, people will have even more opportunities to connect with others, enjoy the
> benefits of being part of a community and create transformational change.”

 * **[National Lottery Community Fund pledges at least £3bn of funding in England by 2030](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/06/national-lottery-community-fund-pledges-at-least-3bn-of-funding-in-england-by-2030/)**(
   6 November 2024)
 * **[HFT secures Big Lottery funding for person-centred planning project](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/04/03/hft-secures-big-lottery-funding-person-centred-planning-project/)**(
   3 April 2006)
 * **[Big Lottery Fund invites feedback on spending next £2 billion](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/11/17/big-lottery-fund-invites-feedback-spending-next-2-billion/)**(
   17 November 2008)