Young Volunteers On The Increase

More 16 to 25-year-olds are giving up their time to do volunteer work.

20:46 13 April 2016

Based on official figures, there were about 2.9million people across the UK who did volunteer work in 2015, a significantly higher number compared to just 1.8million in 2010. 

 

Nick Ockenden, the head of research at National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), said that campaigns could be the reason for the 52per cent increase. 

 

"It's quite a dramatic increase and we don't normally see that level of change with something like volunteering,"

 

"If you volunteer you are going to get new skills. If you volunteer you will have a chance to test out a different type of career.

 

"So those sort of employee benefits are being recognised by young people, they're being promoted by the organisations.

 

"They will be gaining new skills. They will be gaining new experiences and linking that to employability.

 

"But I think the biggest thing young people report in every survey is having a good time and having fun."

 

18-year-old Hannah who volunteers one morning a week at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, agrees. She said: "It is really good in the long-term as well career wise if you put on your CV that you've given up your time voluntarily and you've done something in your community or with the cats of London (laughs), then that really does help you."