The document summarizes volunteering trend data from September 2017. It finds that overall volunteering levels have remained stable, but there is more volatility in younger age groups. Volunteering among 16-34 year olds, particularly young men, peaked in recent years and is now declining. However, volunteering among 25-34 year olds is still increasing, suggesting those who volunteered younger may continue as they age. Volunteering has decreased among 45-54 and 55-64 year olds, who have fewer initiatives targeting them.

1. Volunteering Trend Data
September 2017 with data up to August 2017

2. 2
Chart 1: The highlights of our latest volunteering
research
• Overall volunteering levels are fairly stable; however, individual waves show volatility, possibly due to a season increase
over the summer.
• The most interesting changes appear to be over age group and gender.
• Chart 3 show that 16-34 year old men are now one of the most likely groups to volunteer (peaking at 39% in 2014)
closely followed by women in the same age group. The volatility of these figures means that frequent tracking is
needed.
• Our most significant finding is in Chart 5. This shows the moving average for 16-24 and 25-35 year olds. While
volunteering in 16-24 year old started rising in 2009/10, volunteering in 25-34 year olds started rising 2-3 years later.
• While volunteering in 16-24 year olds peaked in 2013/4, the moving average suggests that volunteering in 25-34 year
olds is only now peaking.
• Is it possible that those who volunteered at school and university in their youth are continuing those habits as they get
older? This would be very good news if it’s the case.
• The less encouraging data is shown in Chart 13. Volunteering levels in both 45-54 year olds and 55-64 year olds have
declined between 2012 and 2017. These age groups are those for whom no major initiatives exist to encourage
volunteering.

3. 3
19%
16%
22%
19%
22%
20%
Volunteered (telephone) Volunteered (online)
Chart 2: Volunteering over time from 2003 to
2017
Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2004 - 2017, nfpSynergy | Base: 1,000 adults 16+, Britain
Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?” Yes (Telephone
and online surveys)

4. 4
17%
19%
21%
22%
14%
25%
16%
39%
20%
24%
37%
31%
27%
Males Females 16-34 Males
16-34 Females Linear (Males) Linear (Females)
Chart 3: Volunteering over time – gender balance
including young men and women
Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2003-2014, nfpSynergy | Base: 1,000 adults 16+, Britain
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?” Yes (Telephone
and online surveys)

5. 5
Chart 4: Volunteering from 2004 – increase in 16-24
year old volunteering
Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2012 - 2017, nfpSynergy | Base: 1,000 adults 16+, Britain
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?” Yes
15%
33%
29%
16-24 year olds Expon. (16-24 year olds)

6. 6
Chart 5: Volunteering from 2004 showing moving
averages from 16-24 and 25-34 year olds
33%
26…
Oct 04 July 05 May 06 Jun 07 Jun 08 Jun 09 Jun 10 Sep 11 Sep 12 Sep 13 Jan 15 Oct 15 Mar 17
16-24 year olds 25-34 year olds
10 per. Mov. Avg. (16-24 year olds) 10 per. Mov. Avg. (25-34 year olds)
Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2012 - 2017, nfpSynergy | Base: 1,000 adults 16+, Britain
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?” Yes

7. 7
The demographic profile of volunteers over time

8. 8
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Online surveys)
Base: 12,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2014 - 2017, nfpSynergy
Chart 6: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (2014 – 2017)
21% 20% 21%
30%
19% 19% 17%
30%
22%
18%
14% 16%
24%
Total Male Female AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

9. 9
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Telephone and online surveys)
Base: 3,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2012, nfpSynergy
21% 19%
22%
27%
21%
17% 18%
24%
19%
16%
20%
22%
24% 25%
10%
Total M F AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last 3
mths
Not
given
Chart 7: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (2012)

10. 10
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Online surveys)
23%
20%
25%
29%
21%
18%
22%
33%
20% 20%
16%
21%
26% 26%
15%
Total Male Female AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last
3 mths
Not
given
Base: 3,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2013, nfpSynergy
Chart 8: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (2013)

11. 11
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Online surveys)
23% 24%
23%
35%
21% 20% 20%
31%
29%
18%
14%
17%
30%
28%
12%
Total M F AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last 3
mths
Not
given
Base: 3,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2014, nfpSynergy
Chart 9: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (2014)

12. 12
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Online surveys)
21%
19%
22%
31%
18%
16%
19%
25%
22%
19%
16% 15%
24%
25%
10%
Total M F AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last 3
mths
Not
given
Base: 4,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2015, nfpSynergy
Chart 10: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (2015)

13. 13
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Online surveys)
22% 22% 21%
34%
19%
21%
16%
32%
30%
19%
12%
15%
22%
27%
10%
Total M F AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last 3
mths
Not
given
Base: 4,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2016, nfpSynergy
Chart 11: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (2016)

14. 14
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Online surveys)
20% 20% 20%
29%
18%
19%
15%
30%
20%
17%
14% 15%
23%
25%
9%
Total M F AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last 3
mths
Not
given
Base: 2,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, Jan – Apr 2017 nfpSynergy
Chart 12: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months (Jan – Aug 2017)

15. 15
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation, or in your local community?”
Yes (Telephone and online surveys)
Base: 5,000 adults 16+, Britain | Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2012 & 2017, nfpSynergy
21%
19%
22%
27%
21%
17% 18%
24%
19%
16%
20% 22%
24% 25%
10%
20%
20% 20%
29%
18% 19%
15%
30%
20%
17%
14%
15%
23%
25%
9%
Total M F AB C1 C2 DE 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Given
last 3
mths
Not
given
2012 2017
Chart 13: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months - 2012 vs 2017
By age, gender, social class and donation habits

16. 16
“Have you given time as a volunteer in the last three months, to a charity or other organisation,or in your local community?”
Yes (Telephone and online surveys)
Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, 2012 & 2017, nfpSynergy | Base: 2,000 adults 16+, Britain
21%
20%
22%
23%
20%
25%
23%
23% 21% 21%
24%
19% 20%
28%
24% 23%
27%
29%
40%
19%19%
19%
17%
23%
16%
25%
16%
21%
17%
18%
21%
20%
26%
38%
24%
27%
31% 30%
37%
15%
Total NW NE/
York &
Humb
Mids East Lond SE SW/
Wales
Scot Mrrd/
Civil/
Living…
Sngl/
Wid/
Div/…
Tab
Daily
Mid
Mrkt
Daily
Broad-
sheet
Daily
Local/
Free
Mid
Mrkt
Daily…
Broad-
sheet
Daily…
Local/
Free
Online
Reg
Wrsp
Not
Reg
Wrsp
2012 2017
Chart 14: Proportion who have given time as a
volunteer in the last three months – 2012 vs 2017
By region, marriage status, newspaper reader and worshipper

17. 17
2-6 Tenter Ground
Spitalfields
London E1 7NH
www.nfpsynergy.net
+44 (0)20 7426 8888
insight@nfpsynergy.net
nfpsynergy
nfpsynergy
nfpsynergy
Registered office: 2-6 Tenter Ground Spitalfields London E1 7NH. Registered in England No. 04387900. VAT Registration 839 8186 72
Any questions? Please contact Joe Saxton
on joe.saxton@nfpsynergy.net or call 07976 329212