Articulating the Additional Value of Volunteering

V Inspired (the national young volunteers service) was keen to extend the existing evidence on the value of volunteering, to more clearly understand its role and impact on young people and communities.

This research explored the ‘internalisation’ of benefits of volunteering, ie the gains and outcomes for individuals who volunteer, such as employability skills and attributes, career knowledge and planning, and social capital/community gains. The ‘externalisation’ of the benefits of volunteering were captured by organisations through which young people volunteer, and the wider communities with which they work.

This aspect of the research focused on how volunteering contributes to developing a community ethos and through this, community understanding of young people. The work articulated the unique contribution of volunteering to communities, and in helping young people prepare for employment.

Project details

Client	V Inspired
Year	2010
IES contact	Becci Newton