Volunteering is growing. What does that mean for charities?

The latest Community Life Survey 2025/26 brings encouraging news for charities. Although volunteering rates have not yet fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels and many organisations continue to face challenges, the signs are positive. More people are volunteering, communities are becoming increasingly engaged, and there is strong evidence that people still want to make a difference where they live.

Monthly formal volunteering, such as providing unpaid support through a charity, group, or organisation, has increased to 18% of adults, up from 17% last year. Informal volunteering, such as helping someone outside of your family, has also risen to 25%. Overall, 35% of adults volunteered at least once a month in either a formal or informal role.

The survey also highlights that older adults remain the most likely to volunteer regularly. People aged 65 to 74 recorded the highest rates of volunteering, while those aged 25 to 34 were the least likely to get involved.

The biggest barriers to volunteering continue to be work commitments, family responsibilities, and competing demands on people's free time.

The main motivation for volunteering is equally clear. More than half of volunteers said they got involved because they wanted to help others or improve their local community.

What should you take away from this?

The good news is that people still want to volunteer, and participation levels are moving in the right direction.

To attract more volunteers, organisations should:

• Make opportunities flexible and easy to fit around busy lifestyles.
• Focus on the impact volunteers make, not just the tasks they will carry out.
• Create opportunities that appeal to younger and working-age adults.
• Invest in supporting, valuing, and retaining existing volunteers.
• Connect volunteering opportunities to local issues and community priorities.

People continue to care deeply about helping others. Charities that make volunteering flexible, meaningful, and accessible will be best placed to grow and sustain their volunteer base in the years ahead.

How can we help?

Wessex Community Action is here to support voluntary and community groups across Wiltshire.

We host regular Volunteer Managers' Forums, bringing together people who recruit, manage, and support volunteers. These sessions provide an opportunity to discuss current challenges, share successes, exchange best practice, and learn from one another.

If you would like to join the forum or would like guidance and advice on volunteering, please contact Stacey Sims

Contact here