In this guest blog, Sam Ward OBE, Deputy CEO, Royal Voluntary Service shares insight into the impact and value of volunteering.

Volunteering has always been an integral part of society in the UK, helping to strengthen communities, improve wellbeing, and provide essential support where it’s needed.  

Levels of volunteering remain stable, but the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting imprint. What initially inspired a surge in volunteering and community support has proved hard to sustain as people face growing pressures in their daily lives. Rising living costs, work demands, and caregiving responsibilities are increasingly common barriers, making it harder for some to give their time as freely. 

Amid these changes, older adults continue to play a key role in volunteering. With more flexibility in their schedules, retirement often presents the opportunity to give back while staying active and connected. However, volunteering is a deeply fulfilling way to contribute to the community and the benefits are not limited to a single age group. 

Developments in remote and flexible voluntary roles have opened the door to more volunteers who are able to reap the rewards of giving their time. Volunteering can offer a genuine sense of purpose and enhances mental wellbeing through the opportunity for meaningful interactions and the feelings of accomplishment and reward that can come from volunteering. 

Speaking to Royal Voluntary Service volunteers in our annual survey, we found that respondents reported higher levels of happiness (8%) and lower levels of anxiety (7%) compared to the Office for National Statistics national average. However, the benefits of volunteering aren’t just on our mental health, but can also have a profound physical impact, too. Half of the volunteers we surveyed agreed that volunteering makes them more physically active, boosting levels of activity by an average of over two additional hours each week.

Giving back to the community contributes significantly to building confidence, providing opportunities to develop as a person, gaining new skills and invaluable experience along the way. The beauty of volunteering is that no one day is the same, and while roles and responsibilities may vary, there is always an opportunity to support and connect with new people and causes.