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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

Blake Stevenson Ltd was commissioned by the Scottish Executive to investigate the level, type and intensity of volunteering in Scotland based on data gathered through the Scottish Household Survey ( SHS), and on focus groups and telephone interviews carried out by Blake Stevenson.

The aim of the study is to analyse data regarding volunteering among target groups in the Executive's volunteering strategy, as well as information on attractions and barriers to participation in volunteering.

Methodology

The methodology for this study involved the following four stage programme of work.

Stage 1: Preliminary review of data

Stage 2: Statistical analysis of data from the Scottish Household Survey 1999 to Q3 2006

Stage 3: Statistical analysis of data from other sources

Stage 4: Focus groups and telephone interviews with volunteers, former volunteers and non-volunteers.

Stage 1: Preliminary review of data

A preliminary review of the quantitative data relating to volunteering in the Scottish Household Survey 1999 to quarter three 2006 was conducted.

Using the SHS Lite dataset, common demographic variables (relating where possible to the random adult) across all SHS years were identified to ensure that any comparisons between survey data would be consistent and allow for valid time series analysis.

We also used the SHS Lite dataset to identify 'volunteering indicators', that is, those variables relating to questions in the SHS that identify a respondent as a volunteer, and 'volunteering variables' - those variables relating to questions that gather information about the volunteering undertaken by the respondent, such as type, intensity and reasons for stopping and re-starting.

Stage 2: Statistical analysis of data from the Scottish Household Survey 1999 to Q3 2006

This stage was based on the first two study objectives: to carry out a detailed analysis of volunteering; and of the questions which identify potential attractions or barriers to volunteering. The outcomes from this stage were envisaged as:

• a profile of volunteers
• time series analysis of volunteering 1999 to 2006.

Profile of Volunteering

Following on from the variables and indicators identified in Stage 1, we used cross-tabulations and multi-variate analyses to develop a profile of volunteers and of volunteering habits based on data gathered between 2005 and 2006. We also analysed attractions and barriers to volunteering identified by respondents.

Time Series Analysis of Volunteering 1999 to 2006

We conducted a time series analysis of volunteering between 1999 and 2006. A profile of volunteers based on similar demographic variables used in the 2005 profile of volunteering was developed and each SHS year (from 1999 to 2006) was analysed. We also analysed variables relating to type of organisation, type of activity and time spent volunteering.

Stage 3: Statistical analysis of data from other sources

Survey data was gathered from the Home Office Citizenship Survey 2005 (the Citizenship Survey is now the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government, and reports based on the 2005 data were published by the DCLG). Data from the Citizenship Survey was compared against the current profile of volunteering in Scotland developed as part of this study, and differences in prevalence rates were reported.

Analysis of the questions presented to participants of the Citizenship Survey, including language used and the way questions are framed, was also analysed against the volunteering questions presented in the SHS. Data from Volunteer Development Scotland's Annual Digest of Statistics 2006 was also included in this analysis.

Stage 4: Focus groups and telephone interviews with volunteers, former volunteers and non-volunteers

The table below summarises the focus groups we undertook in April and May 2007.

We had intended to run another focus group with non-volunteers on the Isle of Skye but only one person attended. We interviewed this person as an individual. We supplemented this with telephone interviews with five non-volunteers on Skye.

We had also intended to run two focus groups with former volunteers. However, it proved prohibitively difficult to recruit participants for these focus groups. Therefore, it was agreed that we would undertake telephone interviews instead. We completed 20 telephone interviews with former volunteers in total - 10 in Fife and 10 in the Borders.

In total the following numbers participated in our research:

• Current volunteers (Kirkcaldy and Skye): 16
• Former volunteers (Fife and the Borders): 20
• Non-volunteers (Skye and Glasgow): 20

Topic guides used in our telephone interviews and focus groups can be found in Annex 9.

Comparison with other Surveys and Examination of the Volunteering Questions in the 2005 SHS

Volunteer Development Scotland's Annual Digest of Statistics and the Department for Communities and Local Government's Citizenship Survey both report higher rates of volunteering than the Scottish Household Survey. The differences in rates of volunteering reported by these surveys may potentially be explained, at least in part, by the content of the survey questions used to identify volunteers. The VDS survey includes "helping to raise money" as an option on a list of activities used to identify a volunteer. If a respondent says that he or she has undertaken this activity, he or she is classed as a volunteer. The Citizenship Survey's list of organisations used to identify a volunteer includes "sports/exercise (taking part, coaching, or going to watch)" and "Hobbies/Recreation/Arts/Social Clubs".

Clearly, we do not know how people interpret the options included in the VDS survey and the Citizenship Survey identified above. However, it might be the case that a number of people might interpret "helping to raise money" as, for example, buying a raffle ticket or sponsoring a friend to run a marathon.

It is possible, therefore, that some respondents who were identified as volunteers by the VDS survey and the Citizenship Survey were thinking of activities which, whilst voluntary in the sense that they were not compelled to do them, may be difficult to describe as formal volunteering.

We suggest that another potential explanation for the differences in rates of volunteering reported in the Scottish Household Survey and other surveys could be related to the format and structure of the questions used to identify a volunteer. From examining the VDS survey and the Citizenship Survey it seems that the order in which individuals are asked to specify the organisations they have helped and the more general activity they have participated in (for example raising money) may be a factor resulting in differences in rates of volunteering across the three surveys.

Recommendations

We recommend that further research is carried out to analyse whether or not asking individuals to specify first the organisations they have helped, rather than the more general activity they have participated in has an impact on rates of volunteering reported. In our qualitative research, when talking about types of types of activity, we found that many people who identified themselves as non-volunteers had actually volunteered in the past.

We also suggest changes to the format and structure of the volunteering suite of questions in the SHS, as follows:

• removing the 'no regular hours' category when asking about length of time spent volunteering
• asking non-volunteers and current volunteers (as well as lapsed volunteers) about attractions and barriers to volunteering, either through the SHS or another survey
• asking all respondents about the qualifications they hold, rather than only those aged from 16 and not retired, to gain an accurate picture of the qualifications held by volunteers in Scotland.

The 'no regular hours' category was removed from the 2006 suite of questions and further changes - such as asking non-volunteers, as well as former volunteers, about attractions and barriers to volunteering, as well as asking all random adults about qualifications - have been made to the 2007 suite.

Prevalence of Volunteers and Comparison with VDS Digest of Statistics

Our analysis of SHS data found a similar relationship between rates of volunteering and types of activities to that reported in the VDS Digest.

Both SHS and the VDS Digest identified raising money, committee work and helping to organise or run an event as three of the most common types of volunteering. However, there were differences between SHS and VDS respondents in the number of hours spent volunteering in an average month.

Prevalence of Volunteering and Propensity to Volunteer by Socio-demographic Characteristics

Our analysis of Scottish Household Survey data confirms that the key groups identified in the Scottish Executive's Volunteering Strategy (2004) amongst whom it would be beneficial to encourage a higher level of volunteering are less likely to volunteer than society in general. A larger proportion of the survey sample volunteers than the proportions of each of these groups that volunteer.

Where people in the identified groups do volunteer, they do so to a similar intensity as the other groups, and face similar barriers to continuing volunteering as other groups.

Specifically, we found that:

• disabled people are less likely to volunteer than those without a disability
• unemployed people are less likely to volunteer than those who are self employed, employed full or part time, or retired
• young people aged between 16 and 24 are significantly less likely to volunteer than those aged between 35 and 74
• people living in the 15% most deprived neighbourhoods in Scotland (according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) are less likely to volunteer than those living in more affluent neighbourhoods
• people lacking in formal qualifications are less likely to volunteer than those with qualifications.

Recommendations

• Within the 15% most deprived areas in Scotland, efforts to promote volunteering should be focused particularly on disabled people, unemployed people, young people and those lacking in formal qualifications.
• Disabled people could be encouraged to volunteer if they are made aware that opportunities to fit their capabilities are available and that they can do as little or as much as they like.
• Unemployed people represent a largely untapped pool of potential volunteers that should be targeted and specific efforts undertaken to demonstrate the potential benefits to them of volunteering (such as improved employment prospects).
• Efforts to increase understanding among young people of the opportunities offered by volunteering should be made.
• It should be made clear to people lacking in formal qualifications that everyone can make a contribution through volunteering, regardless of their qualifications, and that it is possible to gain qualifications through volunteering.

It is our sense that a differentiated and clearly targeted marketing strategy to raise awareness of volunteering and what it involves among these groups is required in order to achieve the aims laid out in the Scottish Executive's Volunteering Strategy. Other organisations, such as Volunteer Development Scotland, are clearly active in this area and could contribute to the development of a marketing strategy.

Type of Volunteering Activities in Scotland

We analysed volunteering by the type of organisations and type of activity carried out.

Type of Organisation

In general, volunteers are more likely to volunteer with organisations that focus on children, young people, or sports and physical recreation.

Females are significantly more likely than males to volunteer with organisations that focus on children or older people, while males are significantly more likely than females to volunteer with organisations that focus on sports and physical recreation, the natural environment or crime/community safety/anti-social behaviour.

Sixteen to 24 year olds are more likely to volunteer with organisations that focus on young people, children and sports or physical recreation than any other type of organisational activity.

The types of organisational activity most common among other age groups are as follows:

• 25-34 year olds: children, young people and sports and physical recreation.
• 35-44 year olds: children and young people. Respondents aged under 44 are significantly more likely than older people to work with children and young people.
• 45-59 year olds: young people, children, sports and physical recreation, and religious/faith issues. Those aged under 60 are significantly more likely than those aged over 60 to volunteer with organisations involved with sports and physical recreation.
• 60-74: religious/faith issues and older people.
• 75 plus: religious/faith issues.

Type of Voluntary Activity

In general, volunteers are most likely to take part in raising money, committee work and generally helping out.

Across all age bands, volunteers are most likely to:

• help to organise or run events or activities
• help out generally
• do whatever is required
• raise money.

Males are more likely to carry out the following activities than any other:

• committee work
• raising money
• helping to organise events
• generally helping out.

Females are more likely to raise money and generally help out than any other activity.

Females are significantly (but only very slightly) more likely than males to visit, buddy or befriend people, while males are significantly (but again only slightly) more likely to carry out committee work, IT support, education/training/coaching, and representing others.

Intensity of Volunteering in Scotland

Our analysis found that the largest proportions of volunteers (42.3%) volunteer at least once a week and that in 2005 the average number of hours spent volunteering per month was 12.8.

Intensity and frequency of volunteering is similar among all volunteers regardless of gender, economic status or age.

Recommendations

On average, volunteers give up around three hours per week to volunteer. It is our sense that these findings could be used to reassure those people who are currently reluctant to volunteer because they fear an excessive time commitment. Such people may be encouraged to volunteer if they were aware that they could do so for only one afternoon or evening per week.

Attractions to Volunteering

We analysed factors that encourage respondents to volunteer through our focus groups and telephone interviews. It was found that volunteers are often motivated to volunteer through a desire to help their community and/or to help people experiencing a situation, problem or condition which has been experienced by the volunteer him or herself, or by a friend or family member. The effect of personal experience on motivation was strong.

We also analysed factors that might encourage former volunteers to re-start volunteering. Some variations exist based on age, gender, economic status, income and urban/rural classification, but a large proportion of respondents across all groups said that nothing would encourage them to volunteer again.

While qualitative research confirmed that nothing could encourage many former volunteers to re-start volunteering, analysis of Scottish Household Survey data found that a relatively large proportion of former volunteers would be encouraged to volunteer again if they could fit it round their other commitments, a finding that is supported by qualitative research.

Barriers to Volunteering

We analysed the reasons Scottish Household Survey respondents gave for stopping volunteering. Some variations based on age, gender, economic status, income and urban/rural classification exist but the most common reason for stopping volunteering is a lack of time.

Qualitative research confirms that volunteers are likely to give up volunteering due to a lack of time, often due to a change in circumstances such as starting a new job or having children. Our qualitative research also identified a lack of awareness of what volunteering involves in terms of time commitment, skills and abilities as a key barrier to volunteering.

Recommendations

To overcome barriers people face to volunteering, we recommend the following:

• Simplifying the Disclosure Scotland process - for example, removing the need to apply for a separate disclosure check for every voluntary position applied for, but, rather, introducing a single disclosure check valid for any position that must be updated after a certain period of time. This issue is currently being addressed by the Scottish government.
• Raising awareness of volunteering opportunities, what they involve and how people from all walks of life can make a contribution. It should be stressed that the time commitment undertaken through volunteering can be flexible - for example, volunteers can volunteer for as much as several hours per week or as little as one day per year.
• Workplaces may be an effective intermediary through which to raise awareness of volunteering and encourage non-volunteers to volunteer.
• Emphasising that, through volunteering, individuals can help people who are in a situation or who suffer from an illness experienced personally by themselves or by a friend or family member.
• People may be reluctant to put themselves forward to volunteer but may be more likely to do so if they are asked directly by someone known by the individual.

Trends in Volunteering - Time Series Analysis

We carried out a time series analysis of volunteering trends in Scotland between 1999 and 2006. Some of our analysis was restricted by changes to questions and categories used, therefore making it difficult to compare like with like.

Our analysis found that rates of volunteering in Scotland increased between 1999 and 2000 and remained stable until 2003, when the rate appeared to fall. There was no significant change in rates of volunteering between 2003 and 2004, but the rate appeared to fall significantly in 2005 following a change to Scottish Household Survey questions. Another change in question took place in 2006, and rates of volunteering increased in that year's survey.

We examined demographic variables and their relationship to rates of volunteering, and found that:

• between 1999 and 2006 the largest proportion of volunteers was aged between 35 and 59
• the proportion of females who volunteer is consistently higher than males between 1999 and 2006
• the self-employed and part time employed are the economic status groups with the highest rates of volunteering between 1999 and 2006
• households with an income of above £20,001 are most likely to volunteer between 1999 and 2006
• between 1999 and 2006, remote rural areas had the highest rates of volunteering.

We also examined the types of organisations volunteers volunteer with. Between 1999 and 2004, organisations concerned with church or religious activities and sports activities accounted for the highest proportions of volunteers.

Hours spent volunteering remained consistent between 1999 and 2003. Between 2003 and 2004 the average hours spent volunteering in a month by volunteers decreased, but increased in 2005 and remained at a similar level in 2006.

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