Why do so few people volunteer now?

I've been at my voluntary 'job' at a community garden this morning. I think volunteering is in our genes. After she retired, Mum and one sister ran a local charity shop for many years. Another sister (retired) volunteers in the local food bank 2 days, and does a half day helping at a centre for dementia clients and their carers.

The community garden was started up about 4/5 years ago, with many volunteers in the beginning, but the initial work was heavy going so many volunteers dropped away.

Now, years down the line, the garden is much more do-able but we have never regained the volunteers we lost.

I like the work, being outdoors, the company and the satisfaction of growing fruit, flowers and veg. We can take produce home too.

What is getting harder though is the feeling that each year we struggle to cope with the garden work as there are so few of us volunteers who actually get dirty hands and 'garden'.

We are definitely outnumbered by the 'Chiefs' (as opposed to Indians). The chiefs are mostly in paid roles but we have many others who like to appear when there are any visitors or reporters.

I would add that I am 70 (and reasonably fit) but my sister is 78 and not so fit . Most of our gardening volunteers are in the older age range. I just feel there must be younger people out there in our wee town who have some spare time. (we do a session on a Saturday) But how do we attract them?

It will be sad to give this up, but I do see the day when I feel just too overwhelmed by the work. It will be sad to walk away and leave what we have created.

When that day comes I hope to become a volunteer in some other role, a charity shop perhaps. Something to give me purpose, and get me up and out the door.

Hopefully the red tape i've been reading about on this thread won't put me off.

I also think from reading posts on G'net that many retired people are almost full time carers for grandchildren or parents and unable to take on a fixed commitment.

I've been volunteering in a community library since 2017 and I love it. Without the group which set up the community staffing, the library would have closed and an important resource lost in that area. I think it's so important to keep providing access to books and computers for disadvantaged people/families so I'm happy to give my time even though I still work. Yes, you need to go through the DBS checks and interview process but surely all our life experience enables us to cope with that. Older people with accumulated wisdom are a huge, precious resource: it's rewarding to be able to share some of that. The other thing I've been involved with is volunteer dog-walking with a charity called The Cinnamon Trust. You get put in touch with a dog owner who needs help, either because they're ill or have had an operation and can't take their dog out at the moment. The volunteer arranges the actual schedule with the owner so you're largely in control of how often and for how long the walks are arranged. Sometimes, there are opportunities to foster an animal if the owner needs to go into hospital. Not for everyone but if you're a dog-lover...

My parents were heavily involved in local organisations, as a result I followed in their footsteps, Guides and Scouts, local museum conservation and digitising... I loved it.
But, working full time, being mum to 3 sons and having a partner who worked anti social hours meant I was just trying to spread myself too thinly, eventually, I snapped 😞
I think today, with so many couples both working, meaning family time together is rare, volunteering is being squeezed out 😞

Anyone worried about a DBS check, I've administered many for a charity, they are quick and easy, as long as you have your ID sorted. They are much cheaper for charities to do for vilunteers most use a service which costs approx £10, if you sign up for the free update service any other charity can use the check free provided you have the right ID again, it rarely takes long for them to come back.
It's important for you and the charity and anyone who you come into contact with through the charity that you know what your limits are, and that you know what to do. Becoming a hospital volunteer it was important to learn about the fire safety and infection control, as well as manual handling so volunteers knew how to do things safely safeguarding, you come into contact with lots of vulnerable people. If you were a patient you'd want to know your volunteer has been checked out and knew how to do things safely. It's not a big deal really

For anyone with a laptop an interest in reading skills for children and a bit of time to spare I think Bookmark are a really welcoming and supportive volunteer opportunity . It’s brilliant as it can be accessed from workplace , holiday , a friends living room, or your own . A DBS check is necessary but not a problem and you can choose days/ times to suit you . I really enjoy the different interactions with children in school and it fits around all the other things I want to do .

www.google.com/gasearch?q=bookmark%20reading&tbm=&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5

I recently enquired about volunteering for a local art gallery as an invigilator.
But I was required to fill out a lengthy form .
They needed the names, address, and emails from two different referees, including phone numbers.
Which rather put me of as I seem to ask the same people for references and it’s getting a bit embarrassing.
Also, a lengthy questionnaire about my hobbies, interests etc.
I felt I was being interviewed for a job.
So I’m not volunteering anymore.

There are many reasons for not volunteering.

Many people have become disillusioned about the big world-wide charities, that frequently pay their executive staff extremely large salaries, claiming that otherwise they cannot get the level of competancy they need AND pay bribes in third world countries to sticky fingered civil servants sayint they otherwise cannot get the help to those who need it.

This may be true, but honestly if countries outside Europe want aid, they must learn that bribery is not acceptable, and charities should not be paying top salaries to their employees, but should be sending the money to those in need.

On the local plan a lot of us do still volunteer, but cuts in public funding make volunteering much less enjoyable than it formerly was, simply because libraries, museeums, stately homes etc. er closed far more often that they are open, so even if you want to volunteer you may only be asked to do so once or twice during a summer.

Sorry about the clerical errors. I have been painting walls all day and my hands are dreadfully stiff now.

I volunteer for the RVS in my local hospital cafe but its not for the faint hearted. I work a four hour shift over the lunchtime when its really busy and we never stop. Every time I look up from my till there is a queue. I do really enjoy it, but its not as sociable as I hoped because we are too busy to talk to each other. The problem is we are seriously short of volunteers which means those of us who do go in and working flat out. Bit of a vicious circle really. We can claim expenses and the application and training process was not too onerous. Some of it is for your own protection, there are so many allergies and complications now with serving food and drink. Apparently lots of volunteers left over Covid and never returned.

I do wonder if covid has made people more inclined to do all the things they've wanted to do (or not do any of things they don't want to)

grandtant
I wouldn’t work for any of the big charities. I’ve known too many managers over the years and know how they operate.
The charity where I volunteer is a local charity. All proceeds go to local children.

I did try to volunteer for the Samaritans once. I went along for an interview and all seemed well until I was told it was essential I attend a meeting every Monday evening. This I coud not do due to a prior regular commitment. I promised to read the minutes of this meeting each week but I was told that was no good and I could not be accepted on that basis, so that was the end of that. I felt quite miffed. Any why didn;t they tell me that before I turned up for interview?

I think many organisations take advantage of volunteers and use them as free replacements for permanent paid employees. This causes resentment with both volunteers and paid employees.

1)many charities need to do checks on staff which is both costly and time consuming. The delay in applying and getting approving means some people go elsewhere to fill their time.
2)if you want to do driving as a volunteer you have to declare the fact on your insurance and that can be costing you more than you would get in travel expenses
3) many pensioners are now involved in childcare for their grandkids and have little time
4) I remember shopping for an elderly lady every week when at school - I had to find the replacement when I left school. Too much guilt if you want to do something else

just a few reasons

I always thought I would do voluntary charity work and teach part time in a nursery when I retired 5 years ago. DH was 5 yrs younger than me and would have been still working full time for at least another ten years so I was happy to carry on doing 2 or 3 days a week working and a day volunteering. Sadly DH died very suddenly and the local nursery changed to employing nursery managers instead of teachers and the salary was reduced. After a year I got a casual hours post which then became a full time permanent post (not a reaching role). I love it and gladly do additional shifts. Also look after grandchild one day a week. I would love to do voluntary work especially for an animal charity but the nearest dog home and the nearest horse rescue are both a good 40 minute drive away and petrol is so expensive. I still want to do voluntary work at some point and really do admire those who do.

Well done 👍

I think it can be a luxury to be able to afford to do voluntary work. Travel expenses should be covered.

There are perks though. I had free first aid courses and sometimes horse riding when with the RDA.
In my current post at the food store/café I've had food hygiene training, Barista training and I can work the till

Like many on here I’ve been volunteering since my teens. Lots of my co-volunteers these days are finding they are being asked to look after grandchildren and it’s taking a lot out of them so they are cutting back or quitting volunteering. How the world changes!

Many people are on personal independent payment (PIP) Many are deemed unable to work due to their disability. Should they do volunteer work. They are at risk of loosing their PIP.

I wouldn't give up my time and not be paid for it, that's my reason

I used to volunteer. I was a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide leader for the best part of 30 years. I also volunteered in a charity shop. Then I moved. It has been impossible to find a volunteer vacancy locally.

I used to do the Scout things, too. Cubs mainly, but also Beavers, and I stepped in to take Scouts when the leaders needed cover. I'd enjoy it again, I think, but I can't commit to a regular day, which is no good.

If you enjoy seeing beautiful, fresh flowers being arranged by talented Demonstrators…..check out your local NAFAS Flower Club ( you do not have to arrange flowers!)
They might be thankful for an extra volunteer to help with the running of their club

Missiseff

I wouldn't give up my time and not be paid for it, that's my reason

The milk of human kindness over floweth 🤷‍♀️

65sucks

Many people are on personal independent payment (PIP) Many are deemed unable to work due to their disability. Should they do volunteer work. They are at risk of loosing their PIP.

PIP isn’t means tested - you can work and claim PIP.
Perhaps people just don’t want to volunteer??