Blog post - Keep Calm and Carry On Helping Out!

Kindness and togetherness – have never been needed more, says Catherine Johnstone, CEO of Royal Voluntary Service. It feels as if we have been on a long, and not particularly enjoyable roller-coaster the past few years. The latest findings from the Edelman Trust Barometer 2023 make for a sober read – both nationally and globally – we have never been more polarised and distrusting. And perhaps unsurprising the research finds that the UK is one of nine other countries ‘in danger of severe polarisation’. However, this does not have to be our fate, we can choose a different path!

The pandemic is estimated to have inspired 12.4 million to step forward, 4.6 million did so for the first time, and some 4,300 mutual aid groups were established. While the pandemic might have kept us physically apart, it also brought many of us together – through individuals giving their time, talent and skills to their community- often called volunteering but not exclusively. And this has brought many benefits – which we should want and critically need to play forward.

We know from a breadth of health - and economic - research that greater social and civic participation makes us happier and healthier, and maybe wealthier and wise! We know that good quality social connections are linked to better heart and brain health. And economists argue that it also drives greater levels of trust and social cohesion - which are fundamental building blocks for economic productivity and prosperity. Knowing this, could greater voluntary action be the seed of change we need to shape a different path – one that builds trust, seeks to be inclusive and drives greater cohesion?  

As CEO of Royal Voluntary Service, I believe so, and that is why I am calling for everyone to step forward to play their part, with collective social action we have the power to choose a better path and shape the country in a way that benefits the masses not the few – I am calling for a Volunteer Revolution – where volunteering can genuinely be for all!

I am privileged - through my job - to be able to see first-hand, the power of ‘ordinary’ citizens to do extraordinary things. All - big or small - acts of volunteering has the potential to transform the lives of others and build stronger, more connected communities. At a time when we feel we might have little control over our lives, given national and geopolitical factors, greater civic participation gives us the power to shape and change our communities for the benefit of ourselves, our families, each other, and the nation. We should feel empowered by this – and hence, more optimistic about the future.

Much is being written about the impact of the pandemic on volunteering numbers. Some data shows an increase and others a decrease – on balance the picture is perhaps more mixed. In general, the Community Life Survey (2021/22) shows a consistent decline in formal volunteering from 2013-14 but a slight increase in informal volunteer in 2020/21. Yet others, Pro Bono Economics report (2022), suggest volunteering for charities working on poverty and health related issues has significantly increased. And while the pandemic (2020-21) might have initially deterred older citizens, this looks to have recovered somewhat. However, those 25 to 64 years still show lower levels of participation in 2021/22 compared to those 16-24 and 65+ year olds!

The pandemic has also driven new forms of volunteering – the phenomenon of micro-volunteering and/or virtual volunteering - has caught the imagination of many first-time volunteers or those wanting more flexibility; these new forms of volunteering are something we should look to play – particularly given increased demand on charities and public services.  Four in five charities have reported an increase in demand for their services.

What is clear is that we need to band together to help each other - more people are having a tough time and being connected to your community and being able to share your skills, talent and time are often a powerful way of dealing with your own personal challenges.  In turn your contribution helps another whether it be an individual who is struggling with their health or a community that needs to save our plant – the is something for everyone to support.

In 2023 there are many ways people can get involved in making their communities better places to live. The Big Help Out on the Coronation weekend – 8^th May - aims to promote a range of diverse community volunteering opportunities – hopefully offering opportunities to suit everyone! Driven by Royal Voluntary Service and Scouts in collaboration with Shaping the Future with Volunteering, NCVO and Together Coalition it is providing a platform for charities, communities, businesses to come together to share what volunteering opportunities they have with a wider audience.  It is at its most simple a supply and demand programme that takes the platform of the additional Bank Holiday and Coronation to spotlight how people can get involved.  In my role I hear frequently the cry from colleagues in the charity sector that they cannot find enough volunteers whilst at the same time 1 in 5 of our population say that ‘No one asked’. That is approximately 11 million of the UK population (15 years and over) who might step forward to help in their communities. We should miss this opportunity given the importance of greater civic participation.

The NHS Volunteer Responders programme is relaunching and recruiting – this was a critical COVID-19 community support service. This programme provides flexible one-off or continuous volunteering opportunities to suit volunteers’ availability and is an invaluable resource to the NHS and wider health and care sector, and critical to people in your local community who use this service.

Finally, we also want – and need – to celebrate and honour those who are already doing amazing work to make our lives and communities better places to live. In partnership with Her Majesty, the Queen Consort, we launched Coronation Champion Awards. These awards recognise and pay tribute to those who dedicate their time to helping others – these individuals are our nation’s greatest assets! Just under 5,000 nominations were received – of which 500 will be recognised as Coronation Champions.

I feel hopeful and inspired by the year ahead and the pandemic has definitely helped us to start a volunteer revolution. As CEO of Royal Voluntary Service I want to help play forward the essential role of volunteering in building more connected communities and improving quality of life for millions of people in Britain – please come join in the Volunteer Revolution!