At Volunteering Matters, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive, and that stronger communities are the key. Our 2024/25 Annual Impact Report celebrates the incredible difference our volunteers have made across the UK, bringing our 2025 to 2030 strategy to life.
During 2024/25, 12,643 people volunteered their time to support individuals and communities across 87 place-based projects, benefiting over 11,300 people. From tackling loneliness and improving mental health to breaking down barriers and equipping communities to lead change, every action has contributed to our mission of creating connected, inclusive communities.
Local action, national reach
Our projects span England, Scotland, Wales and UK-wide initiatives, with highlights including:
- Family Mentors in Greenwich, where volunteers like Fola support vulnerable families to build confidence and reduce isolation.
- Welcome Friends in Rhondda Cynon Taf, offering befriending to combat loneliness among older people.
- Sporting Chance in Stockton-on-Tees, empowering men over 50 to take control of their health through physical activity and peer support.
- Bloom in Nuneaton, a volunteer-led network supporting Syrian and Arabic-speaking women to build community and navigate UK systems.
- ThriveFest and Crucial Crew in Suffolk, where young people lead cultural and safety education initiatives, showing the power of youth-led change.
Celebrating our volunteering ecosystem
Whether it is a one-off clean-up or leading systemic change, we recognise that every form of volunteering has value. Our ecosystem of volunteering continues to offer flexible, inclusive pathways that meet people where they are, supporting them to build skills, make connections and lead change in their own communities.
Looking ahead
As we continue to deliver on our five-year strategy, we are calling on communities, partners and supporters to join us. With your help, we can expand our impact, dismantle barriers to volunteering, and ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and thrive.
