Posts Tagged ‘Citizenship Survey’

  • Citizenship Survey

    By Hannah Mitchell On 16th July 09

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    Hannah Mitchell

    We’ve been waiting in anticipation for the annual release of the Citizenship Survey. Released today, the data provides a robust picture of volunteering rates in England.

    Whilst the data indicates overall volunteering rates largely remain static for formal volunteering, and show a slight decrease in informal volunteering, we’ve been particularly interested in looking at the figures for 16 – 25 years age group. Regular formal volunteering levels (once a month) have risen from 23 per cent in 2007/08 to 24 per cent in 2008/09. Regular informal volunteering rates remains highest for both 16 – 25 and 65 – 74 years groups (38 per cent) compared to all other age groups.

    There will be other factors affecting youth volunteering rates. I’m particularly interested to see whether rising youth unemployment figures we might lead to a renewed interest from young people in volunteering. Research published by the Institute of Volunteering Research (IVR) in April 2009 reported an 87 per cent increase in enquires to Volunteer Centres in the last six months. v’s research report, Young people speak out: attitudes to and perceptions of full-time volunteering, was released last month and shows that young people are more likely to consider volunteering as it offers them a clear route through the recession.

    On the back of the latest unemployment figures showing almost a million young people in the UK are currently unemployed; Newsnight brought together the Employment Minister, Jim Knight MP with two young people who are finding it difficult to get a job. Professor David Blanchflower and Shaun Bailey (MyGeneration) provided comment and gloomy predications on what lies ahead for young people. It’s prompted a lot of discussion on the Newsnight blog.

    Many young people recognise that volunteering can help them to accessing relevant work experience and training, and develop essential life skills. I’d be really interested to hear from any organisations conducting research looking youth volunteering rates as a response to the recession.

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