Volunteering Doesn’t Happen by Accident

Volunteering is often described as the backbone of our communities. From food banks and community hubs to advice services and youth groups, volunteers give their time, skills and compassion every day. But as NAVCA reminds us, volunteering doesn’t just happen by accident – it takes planning, investment and ongoing support.

More than goodwill

People don’t volunteer simply because opportunities exist. They volunteer when:

• Roles are clear and meaningful
• They feel welcomed, valued and supported
• Organisations have the time and capacity to involve them properly
• Barriers to volunteering are recognised and reduced

Behind every successful volunteer programme is coordination, training, supervision and care. Without this, even the most willing volunteers can feel overwhelmed or drift away.

The role of infrastructure and VCSE organisations

Local VCSE infrastructure organisations play a vital role in making volunteering work. They help to:

• Support groups to recruit and retain volunteers
• Share good practice around volunteer management
• Build inclusive opportunities that reflect local communities
• Connect people to the right roles at the right time

This “behind the scenes” work is often invisible, but without it volunteering simply wouldn’t be sustainable.

Why this matters now

At a time when communities are facing increased pressure – from the cost of living to stretched public services – volunteering is more important than ever. But expecting volunteers to fill gaps without proper support risks burnout, inequality and lost impact.

As NAVCA highlights, investment in volunteering infrastructure is essential if we want volunteering to be:

• Safe and well-managed
• Inclusive and accessible
• Positive for volunteers and the people they support
• Sustainable in the long term

A shared responsibility

Volunteering thrives when it is treated as a partnership – between volunteers, organisations, funders and statutory partners. Recognising the time, resources and expertise required to support volunteers properly is key to ensuring volunteering continues to make a real difference in our communities.

Volunteering doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people and organisations put thought, care and commitment into making it work.

You can read the full NAVCA article here: https://www.navca.org.uk/news/volunteering-doesnt-happen-by-accident