Who Volunteers?

Photo: VASA’s voluntary Treasurer (Mr Young) and Chair (Mrs Temple) at the AGM, 2010

In 2008/09 71% of adults volunteered in some way with 47% volunteering at least once a month (2008/09 DCLG Citizenship Survey).

In 2008/09 41% of adults volunteered formally (giving unpaid help through a group, club or organisation) and 62% volunteered informally (giving unpaid help as an individual to someone who is not a relative (2008/09 DCLG Citizenship Survey).

Volunteering is popular with young and old. 53% of young people aged 16-19 have volunteered with a club or organisation at least once in the last 12 months, while 78% have given unpaid help on an informal basis. 28% of over 75’s have volunteered with a club or organisation at least once in the last 12 months, while 46% have given unpaid help on an informal basis.

Volunteers carry out on average 160 hours work each year. Taking the current national minimum wage - £5.93 per hour for people aged 21 and over – the economic value of the 546 new volunteers recruited by VASA during 2010 equates to £520,000.  Taking the regional average wage - £12.34 per hour – the economic value increases to £1.08M.

Last updated: Sun 22nd Mar 2009