Volunteering action plan

Societal impact

The value of volunteering and its contribution to our wider society (now and in future) is documented within Volunteering for All: The National Framework.

'Volunteering brings enormous benefits and enjoyment, (it) increases social and civil participation, empowers communities, and reduces loneliness and isolation. It can also improve mental and physical health, support the development of job and life skills, and foster a greater sense of belonging.' - Ministerial Foreword to The Framework.

Increasing the impact of volunteering on society involves taking a systems' view; understanding how it impacts, and is impacted by, aspects of our society.

Physical health benefits

Evidence suggests that volunteering can promote healthy lifestyle and improve self-rated health

Social benefits

Research finds that volunteering can improve companionship, tackle social isolation and increase social capital.

Mental wellbeing

Evidence shows that volunteering can improve confidence, purpose and life satisfaction.

Instrumental benefits

Volunteering can help people to develop new skills, gain knowledge, develop attitudes and increase employability.

Adapted from University of Stirling^[4]

In creating the Plan, we've drawn on an evidence base that shows volunteering's societal impact (and potential) with its benefits and unique strengths.

Volunteering 'reaches into' areas, such as health and wellbeing, community connection and cohesion, education and skills, and inclusion. More work is needed, especially around partnership development and policy impact, if we're to maximise its impacts.

In our actions we've renewed our focus on communities of place and of interest, and sought to tackle inequality in volunteering through supporting the most disadvantaged in our society.

Climate change

Scotland was one of the first countries in the world to declare a climate emergency and as part of the ongoing commitment to protect our planet, the Scottish Government has set a target to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

Volunteers in Scotland are already mobilised to tackle the climate emergency. People are engaged as volunteers for organisations that preserve the natural environment, in local groups protecting communities from the effects of climate change or as climate activists. In 2021, more than 10,000 people applied to volunteer at the COP 26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, highlighting the strength of public engagement in this issue.

The challenge of climate change gives us the opportunity to do things differently and better. It will take every single one of us acting together to tackle the climate emergency. Volunteer involving organisations (their leaders and managers) and volunteers will continue to play an increasing role.

The contribution of volunteering during COVID-19

The pandemic has demonstrated how remarkable the community and volunteering response in Scotland has been in supporting the crisis needs of food, shelter and transport, as well as helping to address long-term problems such as loneliness and mental ill-health. Organisations and individuals came together at pace to develop solutions and support those most in need. A new 'can do' attitude brushed aside a lot of the bureaucracy and other barriers to 'make change happen'.

Although inevitably some mistakes were made along the way, the far greater impact was the introduction of new structures, new models of working, new and stronger relationships, new ways of supporting volunteering, and new volunteer roles. This learning represents a golden opportunity for a strong volunteering legacy from COVID-19.