Project Scotland: Economic Impact Assessment

The research, conducted by economic development consultancy Roger Tym & Partners, was commissioned by Project Scotland and involved 130 partner organisations. Data analysed included the number of volunteers gaining full-time employment and an estimate of subsequent income tax contributions and welfare savings.

In terms of securing long-term employment for young people, the scheme was found to be 10 times more effective than the Jobseeker's Allowance process and saved the economy about £1.7m in benefits. It also found that using volunteers and recruiting them as permanent staff is worth around £9m a year to business and organisations partnered with Project Scotland.

Specific examples of how volunteers and organisations have benefited financially include the National Trust for Scotland, which has recruited a number of volunteers in full-time posts. One of these managed to secure a starting salary £3,000 above the usual rate, because of experience gained through volunteering. Another, Forestry Commission Scotland, had a 90 per cent ratio of volunteers from disadvantaged backgrounds and knew of at least 30 volunteers who have since secured employment.