Research reveals the rise of the digital volunteer, with more than 90% of voluntary organisations moving operations online during the pandemic

The number of volunteer roles being carried out online increased in 39% of the voluntary organisations which responded

Mixed impact on volunteer numbers

The latest data (May 2021) from the seventh monthly Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer, led by Nottingham Business School, part of Nottingham Trent University, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), and Sheffield Hallam University, shows that despite large numbers of first time volunteers coming forward during the pandemic, just 24% of charities reported an increase in volunteer numbers since March 2020, compared with 36% who saw a decline.

38% of the voluntary sector organisations also reported a decline in the amount of time contributed by volunteers, with just 29% reporting an increase since the beginning of the pandemic. The range of activities undertaken by volunteers had also reduced for 40% of charities.

In the past month 20% of organisations said they expected an increase in volunteering, with 19% expecting a decrease. This is the first time more have expected an increase and follows positive trend. This mixed volunteering picture is set against an increased number of organisations (66% in May compared to 59% in April) expecting greater demand for their services in the short term.

Increased diversity in volunteering

The pandemic has brought several positive changes to UK volunteering, including many organisations reporting a significant shift in the diversity and range of volunteers participating.

As a demographic more likely to be impacted by the restrictions the pandemic has imposed on in-person activities, 31% of the organisations experienced a decrease in the number of older volunteers (50+) actively engaged in their organisation. A decrease has also been reported by 18% of the respondents regarding disabled volunteers and 9% for the number of volunteers who identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic.

Rise of the digital volunteer

The new data also shows the expansion of online and digital volunteering. 92% of the organisations surveyed stated that they had moved services online in the past year as a result of the pandemic. This led to an increase in the number of volunteer roles being carried out remotely in 39% of organisations. As a result of the increased presence of digital, 26% of the respondents found it necessary to recruit volunteers with different skill sets to their normal volunteers.

More positive outlook among charities

The research also shows a gradual but consistent decrease from 80% to 64% across the seven months of the survey in the number of organisations expecting the pandemic to negatively impact their ability to deliver their objectives. For the first time during the pandemic, more organisations (22%) expect their short-term financial position to improve than to deteriorate (19%).

Daniel King, professor of organisational behaviour at Nottingham Business School and project lead, said: “The pandemic has seen a shift in not only who has been volunteering but also how they are volunteering. Many people who have had to shield or look after their families have been unable to volunteer, at least in person. This has meant voluntary organisations have reduced volunteer capacity and at the same time they have had to engage more with volunteers to support their wellbeing. This reduces their capacity further.

“However other people, either because they had more time through furloughing or have wanted to help their community, have been able to volunteer, sometimes for the first time. This has opened up new ways of volunteering, through digital and remote practices, and introduced a more diverse group in terms of skills and demographics than would otherwise have been involved in volunteering. This is a real positive of the pandemic.”

Alex Farrow, head of networks and influencing at NCVO, said: “Overall, we see a mixed picture for formal volunteering during the pandemic, with some organisations seeing new volunteers, from all walks of life, many volunteering for the first time. Other organisations have struggled, either through volunteers having to shield, or having to suspend volunteering altogether.

“The increase in volunteer diversity during the pandemic is welcome and overdue, and the new opportunities and flexibility opened up by digital and micro volunteering are exciting for the sector. We need to consider what measures can sustain these changes and ensure volunteering is open to all.

“It is right that we all take the time to thank volunteers this Volunteers’ Week for the huge impact they have made in the past year. As we move out of lockdown this is a pivotal moment for all volunteer engaging organisations to build on the positives we have seen in the pandemic and plan strategically for the future of volunteering.”

Among other findings, the research also showed:

• 30% charities reported a deteriorating financial position in the last month; 25% saw their financial position in the last month improve; and 44% reported a stable financial position in the last month. The gap here has narrowed as restrictions have begun to ease.
• 37% voluntary organisations indicated that their range of services has decreased since March 2020; 38% reported an increase in their range of services since the beginning of the pandemic.
• 64% of respondents expect Covid-19 to have a moderate or significant negative impact on delivering their objectives next year.
• 6% of organisation surveyed reported that it was quite likely or very likely that their organisation would no longer be operating next year, a decrease from 8% last month.