Scottish Government

Norma Hurley, Lindsay Wilson, Ian Christie, Blake Stevenson Ltd

ISBN 978 0 7559 6949 4 (Web only publication)
ISSN 0950 2254

This document is also available in pdf format (940k)

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND
Policy Context
The Research

CHAPTER TWO COMPARISON WITH OTHER SURVEYS AND EXAMINATION OF THE VOLUNTEERING QUESTIONS IN THE 2005 SHS
Summary
Introduction
Definitions - Scottish Executive and VDS
Formal and Informal Volunteering
Policy Interest
Prevalence of Volunteering
Comparator Surveys
Rates of Volunteering
Trend in reported rates of volunteering in SHS
The content of the questions asked
Helping to raise money
Format and Structure of Questions
Methodological Performance of remaining questions in SHS 2005

CHAPTER THREE PREVALENCE OF VOLUNTEERS AND COMPARISON WITH VDS DIGEST OF STATISTICS
Summary
Economic Status
Type of Volunteering Activity

CHAPTER FOUR PREVALENCE OF VOLUNTEERING AND PROPENSITY TO VOLUNTEER BY SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Summary
Introduction
Prevalence of Volunteering
Factors associated with propensity to volunteer
Lower Socio-Economic Groups
Long-term Sick and Disabled
Unemployed
Young People
Deprived Backgrounds
Lacking Formal Qualifications

CHAPTER FIVE TYPE OF VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES IN SCOTLAND
Summary
Introduction
Type of Organisational Activity
Type of Volunteering Activity

CHAPTER SIX INTENSITY OF VOLUNTEERING IN SCOTLAND
Summary
Introduction
Frequency of Volunteering
Hours Spent Volunteering

CHAPTER SEVEN ATTRACTIONS TO VOLUNTEERING
Summary
Introduction
Motives to Volunteer
Reasons for Re-starting Volunteering

CHAPTER EIGHT BARRIERS TO VOLUNTEERING
Summary
Introduction
Barriers to Volunteering
Reasons for Stopping Volunteering
Scottish Household Survey Respondents who had Stopped Volunteering
Reasons for Stopping Volunteering

CHAPTER NINE TRENDS IN VOLUNTEERING - TIME SERIES ANALYSIS
Summary
Introduction
Rates of Volunteering
Profile of Volunteers 1999-2006
Type of Organisation
Hours Spent Volunteering
Type of Volunteering Activity

CHAPTER TEN RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
Methodological Performance of the Volunteering Suite of Questions
Prevalence of volunteering and propensity to volunteer by socio-demographic characteristics
Marketing Strategy

ANNEX 1 DEFINITIONS OF VOLUNTEERING
What is volunteering?

ANNEX 2 METHODOLOGY
Scottish Household Survey
Study Methods

ANNEX 3 SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLD SURVEY 2005: VOLUNTEERING SUITE OF QUESTIONS

ANNEX 4 VARIABLES SELECTED FOR PROFILE OF VOLUNTEERS

ANNEX 5 REGRESSION ANALYSIS
Method
Odds Ratio - Worked example
Confidence Intervals
P Value

ANNEX 6 PROFILE OF VOLUNTEERS, 1999 - 2006

ANNEX 7 TYPE OF VOLUNTEERING ORGANISATION 1999 - 2004

ANNEX 8 PATTERNS OF RURAL VOLUNTEERING
Prevalence of Volunteering in Rural Areas
Type of Volunteering Activities
Intensity of Volunteering
Attractions to Volunteering
Barriers to Volunteering
Qualitative Research Findings

ANNEX 9 FOCUS GROUP TOPIC GUIDES AND INTERVIEW SCHEDULES

ANNEX 10 LIST OF REFERENCES

ANNEX 11 LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

It should be noted that since this research was commissioned a new Scottish government has been formed, which means that the report reflects commitments and strategic objectives conceived under the previous administration. The policies, strategies, objectives and commitments referred to in this report should not therefore be treated as current Government policy.

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.