Cultural shift needed to boost volunteering

- Another report into volunteering?

The Morgan Inquiry has tried to build on the work of the Russell Commission and others by looking in-depth at a particular issue: how to help more young adults aged 18 to 24 to volunteer. Despite the recent focus on volunteering, this group has found it difficult to access opportunities. This is a particular issue for youth organisations, which benefit from volunteers that are close in age to the groups they serve. For example, the Scouts needs 10,000 volunteers but it has problems recruiting young adults.

- Okay, so what are the barriers?

Well, despite the evidence of the impact of volunteering on vital transferable skills such as self-confidence, team-working, initiative and organisation, it seems too many employers either don't recognise this or are ill-equipped to support it. A cultural shift is needed that reinforces the value of volunteering as a route into employment and which doesn't just shift it into the "hobbies" section on CVs. The report also says the "rigid bureaucracy" of benefit rules undermines efforts to recruit volunteers from the unemployed. It says volunteering should be recognised as a legitimate job hunting activity and expenses rules must change. A government-supported accreditation scheme to get wider recognition for the skills gained through volunteering is also seen as important.