Official Statistics - Community Life Survey 2023/24: Volunteering and charitable giving
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The Community Life Survey is a nationally representative annual survey of adults (16+) in England that tracks the latest trends and developments across areas that are key to encouraging social action and empowering communities.
The Survey’s Chapter on volunteering and charitable giving provides detailed insights into trends, demographics, and motivators for volunteering, charitable giving, and civic engagement in England, highlighting declining participation rates and variations across subgroups.
Synthesis
- Formal Volunteering: In 2023/24, 16% of adults in England participated in formal volunteering at least once a month, the lowest rate since 2013/14, with older adults and those in higher socio-economic groups more likely to volunteer.
Informal Volunteering: 24% of adults engaged in informal volunteering monthly, with higher participation among younger adults, older adults, disabled individuals, and women.
Combined Volunteering: 33% of adults participated in either formal or informal volunteering monthly, with rural residents and those in less deprived areas showing higher engagement.
Charitable Giving: 67% of adults donated money to charity in the four weeks prior to the survey, with older adults, women, and those in higher socio-economic groups contributing more frequently.
Motivators and Barriers: The main motivators for formal volunteering were helping others and having spare time, while work commitments and other personal responsibilities were the primary barriers.
Regional and Demographic Variations: Participation in volunteering and charitable giving varied significantly by age, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and geographic location, with rural areas and the South West showing higher engagement.
