What does the future hold for volunteering?

OONAGH AITKEN, CEO OF VOLUNTEERING MATTERS

 

THE FUTURE OF VOLUNTEERING IN THE UK HOLDS CHALLENGES BUT ALSO EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES

In the few years I have been the chief executive of Volunteering Matters, volunteering has moved up the political agenda. David Cameron’s big society idea, and his public commitment to volunteering, helped to initiate this change. The London Olympics also played an important role in raising the profile of volunteering and civic duty.

Volunteering has become a “must have” for young people going into higher education. It’s also become a key part of many major companies’ corporate social responsibility programmes, and an attractive option for retirees looking to give something back.

What does this mean for organisations such as ours that develop volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities across the UK? And what does it mean for museums, which deploy volunteers to carry out valuable work in our local communities and public spaces?

The future of volunteering in the UK holds challenges but also exciting opportunities. Youth engagement is increasing, with more than 40% of young people taking part in meaningful social action in 2015. But there is a “privilege gap”, with fewer young people from disadvantaged backgrounds accessing volunteering opportunities. This is a waste, as volunteering has a host of benefits for the beneficiaries, the volunteers themselves and society as a whole.

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