Amanda Naylor OBE, Chief Executive of Volunteering Matters said:
Volunteering Matters believe that volunteering should always be a free and meaningful choice. We recognise the vital role volunteering plays in building stronger, more inclusive communities and want everyone to feel supported and confident in taking part.
We are concerned that making volunteering a compulsory condition for migrants, asylum seekers or refugees could have unintended consequences. It may reduce the positive impact of volunteering, place pressure on already stretched charities, and risk discouraging people from engaging with their communities.
We also know from our own volunteer community that many migrants and refugees already play an active and valued role in volunteering through Volunteering Matters projects like Bloom, contributing their skills, energy and lived experience to strengthen the places they call home. Our priority is to continue removing the barriers that prevent people from accessing volunteering equitably — including ensuring financial resources are available where appropriate to cover expenses, so no one is excluded because of cost.
We know from decades of evidence and experience that the benefits of volunteering are not only felt by the people and communities supported, but by volunteers themselves — building confidence, connection, wellbeing and a sense of belonging. We are committed to expanding these opportunities to everyone, including migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, in ways that are safe, empowering and genuinely voluntary.
Instead of compulsion, we believe in creating welcoming, flexible opportunities that support people to build confidence, learn new skills and take part in community life when they are ready.
We are committed to working constructively with the Home Office and others on proposals that strengthen communities, promote inclusion and support the wellbeing of everyone involved. Volunteering has the power to bring people together when it is offered with trust, respect and choice at its heart.
Volunteering should remain voluntary. Always.
