As the festive spirit inspires a wave of generosity, new research reveals a concerning pattern in the nation's volunteering habits. While two in every five Britons intend to volunteer over the Christmas period, charities are bracing for a dramatic drop-off in support once the new year begins.
The Festive Spike and the January Slump
A study commissioned by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) indicates that volunteer applications are likely to plummet by 44% after the holiday season. The research shows that roles needed in January struggle to attract applicants, with an average of just 54% of positions being applied for once Christmas is over.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, chief executive of the RVS, welcomed the seasonal surge but stressed the ongoing need. "It's fantastic to see so many people giving their time this Christmas, supporting their communities and those who need it most," she said. "But the spirit of giving is needed all year round, not just at Christmas."
A Critical Shortfall and Flexible Solutions
The warning comes as charities across the UK anticipate a shortfall of around three million volunteers over the next twelve months. This gap emerges at a time when demand for support is rising sharply. Although nearly a third of people express willingness to volunteer throughout the year, the festive period remains the primary motivator for action.
Survey respondents acknowledged the personal benefits of volunteering, such as gaining a sense of purpose and improved wellbeing. However, 33% cited difficulties in fitting regular commitments into their schedules. To address this, the RVS is promoting its GoVo app, a platform designed to match volunteers with flexible, local or remote opportunities.
"With flexible volunteering through GoVo, anyone can give back around work, family, or other commitments," Catherine Johnstone explained. "It's easier than ever to make a real difference with just a little time. A quarter of people feel more motivated and connected to others through volunteering. We hope to show that volunteering can be bite-sized and still have a big impact."
Unusual Volunteering Roles Available Now
Beyond traditional roles, the RVS highlights a breadth of unique volunteering opportunities available year-round to suit diverse interests and skills. These include:
- Selling donated clothes via Vinted to raise funds for animal welfare.
- Leading an African drumming group for people in crisis.
- Becoming a weekend horse ranger to help young people develop life skills.
- Training prison mentors to support numeracy and literacy in prisons.
- Knitting baby clothes for children aged 0 to 5 in need.
- Planting new trees to counter the environmental impact of summer heatwaves.
- Ballroom dancing with people living with dementia.
- Coaching a Special Olympics football team for the Ascot United Warriors.
- Walking dogs for terminally ill people to help them keep their pets.
- Offering exam support to those with visual impairments.
The GoVo platform was developed with support from the players of People's Postcode Lottery. Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, commented: "It's great to see such a wide range of roles on GoVo. We know that volunteering is a win-win for communities and for volunteers alike. We're delighted that our players are supporting a platform that makes it easier to find opportunities that fit with their lifestyles."
The message from charities is clear: while the Christmas spirit of giving is powerful, the need for volunteers is a constant. Embracing flexible volunteering opportunities through tools like the GoVo app could be key to bridging the three-million-volunteer gap and sustaining vital support services every month of the year.
