An article drew on the Time Use Survey of 2000 to explore the formal and informal volunteering of children aged 8-15. The conceptualization of volunteering could be enriched by a better understanding of children's experience, and the ways in which existing conceptions of volunteering might themselves obscure children's contribution.
Source: Sophie Sarre and Roger Tarling, 'The volunteering activities of children aged 8-15', Voluntary Sector Review, Volume 1 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Dec
A study examined the impact of the economic recession on youth volunteering. Young people valued the opportunities provided by volunteering to 'stay ahead of the competition' in the recession-hit labour market. However, 1 in 10 young people felt that organizations that might use volunteers were not interested in young people and what they had to offer.
Source: Exploring Volunteering in a Recession: Talking with young people, National Youth Agency | Exploring Volunteering in a Recession: Talking with organisations, National Youth Agency
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | NYA press release
Date: 2010-Oct
An article examined the views of company employees about an employee volunteering (ESV) scheme.
Source: Colin Morgan and Jon Burchell, '"It ain't wot you do, it's the way that you do it": lessons learned from analysing employer-supported volunteering schemes through the eyes of employees', International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Volume 30 Issue 11/12
Links: Abstract
Date: 2010-Oct
A report said that young people in Northern Ireland who had volunteering experience had greater contact with people from different community or religious backgrounds, and held more favourable views towards people from minority-ethnic communities.
Source: Youth Volunteering: Making a difference to community relations, Volunteer Now
Links: Summary
Date: 2010-Oct
An interim report said that the standard of volunteer management in charities was low, with 'numerous' volunteers reporting verbal abuse and sexual harassment.
Source: Volunteer Rights Inquiry: Interim Report, Volunteering England
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Jul
A report said that organizations should improve their monitoring of the numbers of volunteers from under-represented groups such as disabled people, refugees and asylum-seekers, and single parents. It highlighted the benefits of involving these volunteers: although there could be additional costs incurred in involving them, funding bodies should recognize and support the potential extra costs and time.
Source: Arnie Wickens, Sophie Earnshaw, Chris Fox and Kevin Albertson, The Costs, Barriers and Benefits of Involving Volunteers from Under-Represented Groups, Commission for the Compact
Links: Report | Commission press release
Date: 2010-Jun
A report examined participation in formal and informal volunteering and trends in participation over time, using 2008-09 Citizenship Survey data. It also looked at trends in charitable giving. The numbers of people volunteering and donating to charity had fallen in the previous five years.
Source: Emma Drever, 2008-09 Citizenship Survey: Volunteering and Charitable Giving Topic Report, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report | Volunteering England press release | Guardian report | New Start report | Telegraph report
Date: 2010-Apr
The government published a strategy for promoting the role of volunteering in the health and social care system, including addressing health inequalities.
Source: Volunteering: Involving People and Communities in Delivering and Developing Health and Social Care Services, Department of Health
Date: 2010-Mar
A think-tank report examined the benefits of employee volunteering schemes for business and individuals.
Source: James Lloyd (ed.), More than CV Points? The benefits of employee volunteering for business and individuals, Social Market Foundation
Links: Report | Personnel Today report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2010-Mar
A briefing paper examined the proposed volunteering strategy for Northern Ireland. It provided background information on the development of the strategy, and its key objectives and proposals. It also explored the existing profile of volunteering in Northern Ireland, and considered the strategy within the context of the existing economic recession and the future community planning process.
Source: A Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Assembly
Links: Briefing
Date: 2010-Mar