Most of us have done it… collected a prescription for a neighbour, cleared the leaves from our street, helped out at the local community fete. What most of us don’t realise is we are undertaking ‘informal volunteering’, or community participation as it’s sometimes called.
It’s the most common type of human helping behaviour[1], but we know so little about it. Throughout London (and the rest of the world), people are showing kindness by taking on everyday chores for people in need, or helping out in their community. It is amazing – and we talk about it a lot with the London Volunteering Strategy Group (LVSG).
Why do people informally volunteer?
Often, signing up as a formal volunteer with a charity can feel daunting – there may be forms to fill in, bureaucratic processes or checks to do. It may take time before you can begin volunteering, and this can be frustrating.
However, informal volunteering allows people to give back in a way that suits them. Lots of people find a sense of community in informal volunteering. Whether you’re coaching a school football team or picking up a neighbour’s shopping, you can support your local community in a flexible way.
Why it matters
In the UK, more than half of the population volunteers informally at least once a year, and a third does so at least once a month[2]. Yet the picture of why and how this is happening is unclear. There is very limited data available about informal volunteering.
At London Plus, we want to shine a light on all types of volunteering. We know London has thriving communities doing great things, but quite often informal volunteering isn’t included when we explore this.
We also know that volunteering numbers are declining. We need to find ways to promote all kinds of volunteering – including informal opportunities – so more people get involved with their communities.
We want informal volunteers to share their experiences with us, so we can better shape the future of volunteering in London. Informal volunteers are spreading kindness in our city, and they deserve a voice on what the future of volunteering in London looks like.
So, we’re inviting anyone who volunteers – informally or not – to take part in our Vision for Volunteering survey.
Take the survey todayTo anyone reading this who helps out in their community in London, thank you for spreading kindness. We are working hard to identify and celebrate informal volunteering, because we know you make a difference.
About the London Vision for Volunteering
London Plus is working with partners to develop an Action Plan for the London Vision for Volunteering.
We are running several surveys to gather feedback to inform this Action Plan. You can share your views on the topics that matter to you using the links below.
Thank you.
Employee volunteering survey Volunteer managers survey Charity trustee survey
