Opinion

The importance of creating a culture of volunteering in the UK

Governance | John May | 15 Apr 2010

In the face of looming public spending cuts, John May, the chief executive of Young Enterprise argues the benefits of maintaining investment in volunteering.

Volunteering is high on the political agenda of both the Labour and Conservative parties with both suggesting that more should be done to enable volunteering, particularly for young people. Both have suggested different forms of a ‘National Civic Service’ and it will be interesting to see how these are presented in their election manifestos.

Volunteering England has recently released its own manifesto that calls on the Government to strengthen volunteering. Dr Justin Davis Smith states in his introduction to the manifesto, "Volunteering is a central, indispensable part of the fabric of civil society". It is something that needs to be encouraged and embedded in society –  Government alone cannot make the difference, we all need to realise the role volunteering can play and the role we have in driving this forward.

The benefits of an increased voluntary workforce are there for all to see – services and organisations can continue to deliver and improve standards, trust is formed between individuals and communities and a sense of integration begins to appear.

It is not just social issues that volunteering can help to change. Recent reports warn that GDP figures for the first quarter of this year are unlikely to show much progress compared to the closing three months of 2009, when the economy edged out of recession. Many more economic challenges lie ahead and it is important we understand the role that volunteers from business can play in ensuring our young people are prepared for this.

Volunteer business advisers open young people’s eyes to the world of work

Young Enterprise brings volunteers from businesses of all sizes into the classroom to work with teachers and students and from what we have seen since we were established 48 years ago, the benefits to young people and to the economy are immense. Volunteer business advisers open young people’s eyes to the world of work, inspiring them to develop the skills and attitudes they need to succeed.

It is important to recognise the value of the different types of volunteering that exist, the individual benefits that can be gained and what needs to be done in order to drive this forward. Volunteering England’s manifesto also refers to Baroness Neuberger’s review of volunteering in the civil service, in which she makes a number of recommendations, including that all departments should allow their staff up to five days a year to volunteer.

In the last in a series of reports on volunteering, Baroness Neuberger sets out the business case under three main headings:

1.    Outreach and community engagement enables government to be more responsive

2.    Volunteering is in itself a way of enabling practical learning and development

3.    It boosts staff morale and builds teams

Each of these case points are without doubt something that the Government should continue to act upon.  Aside from benefitting departmental staff, encouraging volunteering among Government employees sends out a message to all businesses, regardless of sector, size or location that it is leading by example. Government should champion volunteering to create a culture where skills and experience can be passed from one individual to another in a safe and productive environment.

Young Enterprise has a history of training and supporting volunteers effectively, building up a successful infrastructure that offers the support needed to ensure both parties benefit. Volunteers are supported on a local and regional level as well as nationally, creating a movement of volunteers who are committed to one central cause. Not only do the young people gain a role model, mentor and advisor but volunteering stimulates the volunteer’s own personal and professional development.

Businesses who support employee volunteering can develop valuable skills

A survey of volunteers compiled by the Institute for Volunteering Research in 2009 showed that teamwork increased by 78 per cent, leadership by 68 per cent and communication was up 67 per cent from figures recorded in 2008. This clearly illustrates that businesses who support employee volunteering can develop valuable skills and experience in their staff and create a more effective and motivated workforce in the present.

Enterprise education is about allowing all young people the opportunity to make the most of their existing skills, gain experience, build confidence and create for themselves a better future. Supporting volunteers to pass on vital business skills not only ensures a stronger work force but enterprising skills and attitudes that lead to the creation of new business opportunities which create jobs and reduce unemployment. Business and education must work together to create a cycle of economic prosperity.

We need whichever political party gains power in the forthcoming election to make good on their promises and help organisations such as Young Enterprise and Volunteering England to support and provide opportunities for volunteers. This will not only create a sense of nationwide civic pride but help steer the country out of recession by sharing skills and knowledge that will help the future workforce to evolve and succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.

John May (pictured) is chief executive of Young Enterprise.

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