DCMS: Comparing National Enabling Environments for Volunteering
International research to learn from how other countries support volunteering
“I think #iwill and Vision for Volunteering are good examples of frameworks that resonate with people, help them to connect and act, and are genuinely enabling.”
Volunteering doesn't just happen by itself. Many things help create an environment where people want and can give their time and energy to help others.
In this project for DCMS, Basis Social and NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) looked to examine the differences in the ‘enabling environments’ that exist to support volunteering in different national contexts: Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Australia. The aim is to identify potential policies and interventions that could be explored further to support England’s national enabling environment.
The research involved a desk review of existing literature and 23 in-depth qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders involved in volunteering across the countries of study.
The research uncovered four key themes that underpin how the enabling environment for volunteering in England might be better supported going forward:
Adopting locally-led approaches: Making the most of existing local infrastructure; acknowledging the importance of place in volunteering; and, encouraging and valuing informal (as well as formal) volunteering.
Consistent and intentional cross-government working: Facilitating connection and collaboration between all relevant government departments to ensure complementary policy-making; and, ensuring the needs of voluntary organisations are advocated for in policy conversations.
Better sharing of valuable data: Making it easier for all interested parties – including smaller volunteer-involving organisations - to find and access volunteering data.
•Adopting more accessible language: Simply using the language volunteers themselves use (such as ‘helping out’ instead of ‘volunteering’) can help make it feel more inclusive.
To find out more, you can read our full report here.
This study forms part of a wider two-year programme of research Basis Social has been running for DCMS. Through this work programme we have been delivering a range of mixed method research projects, designed to fill knowledge gaps and provide evidence to support the development of future programmes, funding streams and strategy, together with more impactful interventions in the VCSE sector.
You can read more about some of our other work in this space – just click on the links below:
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