A significant number of people are prevented from volunteering for charity simply because they offer and “no one calls them back”, according to a survey released today by digital social action charity Do-it Trust.

Some 20 per cent of people surveyed said they “applied once” for a volunteering post but did not receive a response.

Jamie Ward-Smith, chief executive of Do-it Trust, said: “The fact that 20 per cent of those surveyed say they didn’t volunteer because no one had called them back is a huge waste of potential and needs addressing.

“Imagine if we didn’t respond to 20 per cent of offers of donations. The value that volunteers offer should be treated as seriously.  Likewise, the application process must be as quick and efficient as it can be. This is just about best practice within the sector.”

Eleven per cent of potential volunteers said they were put off by lengthy recruitment processes, while 14 per cent said they couldn’t afford to travel to the volunteering placement.

But the survey of over 4,000 people also found that 90 per cent of volunteers felt they had “personally benefited” from the experience – with many saying it had brought them happiness, boosted their CV and in some cases helped them find love.

The single biggest motivation for volunteers was a desire to “give back”, with 65 per cent of those surveyed saying they wanted to “do some good in the community”.

Some 58 per cent of people said they were motivated by “helping others” which in turn improved their own happiness.

Other people – 42 per cent – were motivated by “supporting a cause they care about”.

Some 38 per cent of people said their CV had improved; 45 per cent said they were seeking personal development and wanted to gain new skill; 37 per cent said volunteering was an “easy and fun” way to spend their spare time; while 45 per cent of people said they wanted to make new friends – with some reporting finding their partner through the experience.

Ward-Smith said the “frequent mentions” about how volunteering improved people’s wellbeing and mental health was “particularly striking” and highlighted “its enormous potential for social prescribing”.

“It’s tremendously encouraging that so many people recognise volunteering as an effective route into employment and a powerful way to further their personal development,” she said.

The survey ran over seven days and was completed by 4,234 people. It was promoted on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Do-it.org.