Volunteering and the Recession

Transcription

1 Volunteering and the Recession It is important to understand how the recession is impacting on volunteering activity and the volunteer infrastructure in Northern Ireland. UK wide forecasts provide useful information. However, there is definite evidence of regional variations in the timing and extent of the recession and recovery and the impact on volunteering activity. Volunteer Centres in England have seen a 3% increase in enquiries and placements between 27-8 and 28-9 (Institute of Volunteer Research 29). Unlike England, Volunteer Development Agency (Agency) 1 members in Northern Ireland were not reporting the same surge in new enquiries when surveyed in May 29 (Volunteer and the Recession report 29- do/publications/#research). A follow-up online survey was sent to Volunteer Development Agency (Agency) 2 members in March 21. The focus of the survey was to measure for change in volunteer activity between the period October December 29. The first online survey focused on the period January March 29. The response rate for the survey carried out in February 21 was 15% (n=68), this was lower in percentage terms than the survey carried out in May 29, which had 24% (n=76) response rate. Response Rate to Survey in 29 and 21 Survey sent May 29 February 21 Time Period of Interest January March 29 (start of 29) October December 29 (end of 29) Responses (frequency) Sample Size (frequency) % Response 24% 15% This survey is not intended to be representative of the Agency members or volunteer involving organisations across NI; rather it provides an insight into the views of some organisations, during a time when the UK is in an economic recession and when national impacts on volunteering are being reported. 1 From the 1 April 21, the Volunteer Development Agency has merged with 9 volunteer centres and has become a new organisation called Volunteer Now. 2 Ibid 1 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

2 Main Findings The majority (n=57; 84%) of those who responded to the survey were working within the voluntary/ community sector. This was the same for the May 29 survey. A comparison of the two surveys indicates that respondents had seen an increase in the number of people applying to their organisation- from 36% at the beginning of 29 to 49% at the end. The majority had seen an average increase in applications of 25% between Oct- Dec 9. For the period October December 29, the most common reason given for the increase in applications was people are looking to increase their employability skills (74%). The most common reason given for the period January March 29 was that organisations had been carrying out their own recruitment campaigns (55%). The % of organisations that had experienced a decrease in applications remained low for both surveys. Across the surveys, the most common reason was that people had less time to volunteer. There was a marked decrease in the % of people who said that they did not have enough funding for staff to manage volunteers and an increase in those that said their organisation was re-distributing funding away from volunteer management. Specific questions were asked about unemployed people. Between October December 29, 58% of respondents had seen no change in the number of unemployed people making enquiries about volunteering opportunities. An increase was reported by 39% and a decrease by 4%. Almost half of respondents are expecting an increase in applications between March August 21 (49%). The vast majority of organisations saw having a greater number of unemployed volunteers as an opportunity to bring new skills into their organisation. To a lesser extent but also importantly organisations believed there to be challenges regarding managing and supporting new volunteers. Respondents reported a need for additional support and resources regarding the management of (unemployed) volunteers, funding and the training in best practice in the involvement of unemployed people. The main challenges perceived for the 6 months (March August 21) were how to manage an increasing number of volunteers, with perceived funding cuts and overstretched resources. 2 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

3 Of those who responded to the March 21 survey, the majority (n=57, 84%) were from the Voluntary / Community sector. A smaller number were from a church / faith based organisation, social enterprise, sports club / group, grant making trust and the credit union. n=68 Nature of Organisation Frequency % 3 Children/Young People Community Development 8 12 Disability 8 12 Advice/Information 7 1 Arts/Culture/Heritage 7 1 Health/Wellbeing 7 1 Volunteer Development 4 6 Church / Faith 3 4 Environment/Conservation 3 4 Education/Training 2 3 Older People 2 3 Housing/Homelessness 1 1 Sports 1 1 Volunteer Centre 1 1 Totals n=68 In terms of the nature of organisational work, children / young people was the most common area reported, followed by community development, disability, advice / information, arts/ culture / heritage and health and well being. This was quite a different mix of organisations to those that answered the initial survey in May Instances in which % s do not total to. This is due to rounding up or down to the nearest whole number. 3 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

4 The following questions will be provided as percentages as comparisons will be made from the two survey time points. The number of respondents who answered each question will be included under each graph. Jan- Mar 9 n=76; Oct- Dec 9 n=63 A comparison of the surveys shows an increase in the number of people applying to organisations. At the start of 29, 36% of respondents said that there had been an increase compared to almost half (49%, n=31) of those surveyed at the end of 29. The number of people stating that applications had decreased fell from 17% to 13%. Jan- Mar 9 n=2; Oct- Dec 9 n=21 Of those organisations who said that they had seen an increase in applications during the end of 29, 62% said that they had seen a 1-25% increase. This was similar to the increase seen at the beginning of 29, 65%. The average (median) 4 increase reported at the end of 29 was 25%. 4 The median is a way of measuring the average of a set of numbers. It takes the central point of a set of numbers which have been arranged in order. It prevents the skewness of an average figure caused by extreme values. 4 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

5 % There is a change in people's views about the importance of community life Reasons for an increase in applications received 5 74 People are looking to increase their employability through gaining new skills Recruitment campaign(s) carried out by the organisation Reasons for increase in applications received Jan- Mar 9 n=22; Oct- Dec Gained funding to recruit staff to manage volunteers Jan- Mar '9 Oct- Dec '9 For the end of 29, the most common reason given for the increase in applications received has been the fact that people are looking to increase their employability skills (74%) compared to 5% at the beginning of 29. The most common reason given for the beginning of 29 was that organisations had been carrying out their own recruitment campaigns (55%), this decreased to 22% at the end of 29. % % decrease in number of volunteer applications % -26-5% -51%-75% -76-% Don't Know Jan- Mar '9 Oct- Dec '9 Of those organisations (13%) reporting a decrease in applications at the end of 29, % said that they had seen between a 1-25% decrease. The average (median) score was1% % decrease in volunteer applications Jan- Mar 9 n=14; Oct- Dec 9 n=5 5 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

6 % People have less time to volunteer i.e. working more hours, looking after children Reasons for decrease in applications received Jan- Mar 9 n=14; Oct- Dec 9 n= We do not have funding for staff to manage the volunteers Reasons for decrease in applications Funding has been We do not actively re-distributed from recruit volunteers volunteer management to other areas of organisational work Jan - Mar '9 Oct -Dec '9 Across the two surveys, the most common reason for a decrease in applications was that people have less time to volunteer. There was a marked decrease in the % of people who gave not having enough funding for staff to manage volunteers as a reason, from 43% at the beginning of 29 to 14% at the end of it. Furthermore, more people said that their organisation had re-distributed funding from volunteer management to other areas of organisational work (from 7% at the start of 29 to 29% at the end of 29). Anticipated number of volunteering applications over the next 6 months? % Increased Stayed the Same Decrease I Don't Know May - Oct 29 Mar- Aug 21 Almost half of respondents are expecting an increase in applications between March August 21 (49%). This was a marked increase from that reported earlier in the year (25%). May- Oct 9 n=68; Mar- Aug 1 n=53 6 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

7 A number of additional questions regarding organisational involvement with unemployed people were asked in the most recent survey. There is no comparable data from the May 29 survey. n=57 Over the period Oct - Dec '9, have you seen an increase / decrease in the number of unemployed people making enquiries about volunteer opportunities with your organisation? 39% 4% 58% I have seen no change in the number of unemployed people making enquiries I have seen an increase in enquiries from people who are unemployed I have seen a decrease in enquiries from people who are unemployed % increase in enquiries from unemployed people between Oct- Dec '9 17% 11% 1-25% 26-5% 51%-75% Over the period October December 29, the majority (58%) of people had seen no change in the number of unemployed people making enquiries about volunteering opportunities with their organisation. A significant % had seen an increase (39%). A small %, (4%) had seen a decrease in enquiries. Of those respondents who had seen an increase in enquiries, the vast majority (72%) had seen an increase of 1-25%. A further 17% had seen an increase of between 26-5% and 11% had seen an increase of 11%. 72% n=18 7 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

8 % n=18 Agreement with statements regarding the increase in unemployed people making enquiries It is an opportunity It is an opportunity to bring new skills to make use of into the available skills organisation within the community 44 It is challenging because these volunteers may only stay for a short period of time There is limited It is a challenge to resources /support provide roles to manage these which are volunteers attractive i.e. flexible, short term The majority (72%) of respondents agreed that having a greater number of unemployed people involved as volunteers would be an opportunity to bring new skills into the organisation and would also be an opportunity to use available skills within the community. To a lesser extent, respondents also thought that it would be challenging because volunteers may only stay for a short period of time (44%), organisations would be working with limited resources to manage these volunteers (39%) and that it would be challenging to provide roles which are attractive (33%). ( ), we are more than happy to have people volunteering as a springboard to further employment, though this is not the primary reason that they should do so, nor the basis on which we will accept them. Additional resources / support to involve and manage unemployed volunteers Respondents were asked to include, in their own words, any additional resources / support that their organisation would need to involve and manage unemployed volunteers. The responses given have been grouped under the themes i.e. management of (unemployed) volunteers, funding and the training in best practice in the involvement of unemployed people. Management of (Unemployed) Volunteers Respondents stated that there was a need for a dedicated person to manage volunteers, rather than it being added on to an existing role. There was also concern that there was a need for people with specific skills in working with unemployed people, especially those individuals who may have special support needs. 8 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

9 We have no funding for a Volunteer Co-ordinator at present so current staff are trying to balance the management of volunteers alongside their current work which is very demanding and also means the project is not getting sufficient time and effort. Designated staff member to manage unemployed volunteers so that they fully benefit from their time with us. At least one funded post to support volunteer recruitment, training, development and support and funding to support volunteer training and development and activity. Funding Funding is a persistent concern which was also raised in the first survey and which is inextricably linked to wider concerns about how to manage, support, attract and retain volunteers. Organisations believe that it may be more difficult to attract unemployed people on low incomes if they are unable to reimburse them for out of pocket expenses. Funding to pay expenses such as travel and additional training costs that would assist people to become more employable. Means of meeting volunteer expenses and management support. Training in best practice in the involvement of unemployed people Organisations may require support in how best to manage volunteers, especially those volunteers who have a wide range of skills. As one respondent said it will be important..to develop roles which can make use of potential volunteer's professional skills. Some organisations may require support with managing the expectations of unemployed volunteers. For example, the provision of suitable information for unemployed people regarding what volunteering is. Maybe guidance on being involved voluntarily. Maybe training in concept that whilst volunteering, there is need for regulation of time etc? Not sure, but might be expectation that 'expenses' for everything are met, because that would be normal in a workplace. Not necessarily the case in volunteering world however? (this) advice & support guidelines could simply be a small pamphlet/pdf on best practice in this area. 9 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

10 Major challenges foreseen for organisations regarding the involvement or management of volunteers over the 6 months (March August 21) Respondents were asked to include in their own words the major challenges foreseen for organisations regarding the involvement or management of volunteers over the 6 months (March August 21). The main concerns regarded how to manage an increasing number of volunteers, with perceived funding cuts and overstretched resources. Managing an increase in volunteer numbers It is evident from this survey that organisations are conscious of the need to provide good practice in volunteer management. Respondents raised concerns about how increased demand for volunteer opportunities could impact on their ability to manage volunteers effectively, such as providing suitable roles, training, payment of out of pocket expenses and day to day support. We require a lot of support from within our organisation to shadow volunteers and to provide the skills required. This support at present is provided by paid staff and they are under pressure due to extra workload created within the financial sector due to the current downturn in income. As a consequence of the increasing demand of volunteer applications, there were concerns about how to keep volunteers engaged while enquiries were dealt with...getting the enquiries dealt with in sufficient time - before interest is lost. There were also concerns raised by respondents that funding cuts could put further pressure on already stretched resources. Increased workload with no expected increase in staff. Imminent funding cuts. Having the resources to support volunteers in expenses and training with no funding. We would very much welcome information about funding opportunities for all aspects volunteer development. In case of unemployed individuals there was particular concern that organisations would not be able to find suitable roles that would challenge individuals and build on their existing skills. The point was also raised that organisations may not be able to provide training that would prepare them for employment. 1 Volunteering and the Recession April 21

11 Conclusion This follow- up report has provided some interesting information on the experiences and opinions of volunteer involving organisations, in Northern Ireland, with regards to volunteer applications / enquires during periods of 29. It has also provided an insight into the opportunities and challenges organisations are currently facing. A comparison of the two surveys would indicate that on average the organisations surveyed had experienced a 25% increase in the number of applications they were receiving from the start of 29 to the end of 29. And it is anticipated by those surveyed that this trend will continue for the next 6 months. The over-riding reason reported for this increase was that people are trying to increase their employability skills. Although a small number of organisations surveyed reported a decrease in applications for both surveys; the common view was that people do not have enough time to volunteer, due to working longer hours etc. There was also a marked drop in the % of organisations running recruitment campaigns from the start of 29. The reason for this fall is unknown, however, especially in hard economic times; it is often volunteer management which organisations scale back on (Howlett, 21) 5. Providing good quality volunteer management was deemed important by respondents in this survey; however there was a concern that funding cuts and increased demand, without an increase in resources, would make this difficult. This was especially the case when engaging with unemployed volunteers who may have different types of expectations of the roles offered, conditions or support provided. Organisations in this survey saw involving unemployed people as an opportunity to bring new skills into their organisation. However, there is clearly a concern that these opportunities would be difficult to harness with the anticipated challenges of funding cuts and stretched resources. Volunteer Now, 129 Ormeau Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1SH, Tele: , Fax: A Charity (Inland Revenue) No. XT22896 Company Limited by Guarantee No. NI62399 Registered in Northern Ireland. 5 Howlett, S. (21) Recession? What Recession? Steady Volunteer Numbers Belie Recession Expectations, E- Volunteerism, March 21 available from 11 Volunteering and the Recession April 21