CHAPTER NINE TRENDS IN VOLUNTEERING - TIME SERIES ANALYSIS
Summary
9.1 We carried out a time series analysis of volunteering trends in Scotland between 1999 and 2006. Some of our analysis was restricted by changes to questions and categories used, therefore making it difficult to compare like with like.
9.2 Our analysis has found that rates of volunteering in Scotland increased between 1999 and 2000 and remained stable until 2003, when the rate fell. There was no significant change in rates of volunteering between 2003 and 2004, but the rate appeared to fall in 2005 following a change to Scottish Household Survey questions. Another change in question took place in 2006, and rates of volunteering increased in that year's survey.
9.3 We examined demographic variables and their relationship to rates of volunteering, and found that:
- between 1999 and 2005 the 35-44 age group accounted for the largest proportion of volunteers, and in 2006 there was no significant difference between this age group and those aged 44-59
- the proportion of females who volunteer is consistently higher than males between 1999 and 2006
- the self-employed and part-time employed are the economic status groups with the highest rates of volunteering between 1999 and 2006
- households with an income of above £20,001 are most likely to volunteer between 1999 and 2006
- between 1999 and 2006, remote rural areas have the highest rates of volunteering.
9.4 We also examined the types of organisations volunteers volunteer with. Between 1999 and 2004, organisations concerned with church or religious activities and sports activities accounted for the highest proportions of volunteers.
9.5 Hours spent volunteering remained consistent between 1999 and 2003. Between 2003 and 2004 the average hours spent volunteering in a month by volunteers decreased, but increased in 2005 and remained at a similar level in 2006.
9.6 Between 1999 and 2004 the type of volunteering activity that accounted for the highest proportion of volunteers was 'providing some kind of service'.
Introduction
9.7 This chapter describes the trends in volunteering since SHS 1999 through to SHS quarter three 2006.
9.8 It is set out under the following headings:
- Rates of Volunteering
- Profile of Volunteers
- Type of Organisation
- Hours Spent Volunteering
- Type of Volunteering Activity.
9.9 Inconsistencies in survey questions across years mean that robust comparisons cannot be drawn, however, where possible, similar variables have been selected for each year to allow some comparisons to made and identify any impact that question changes have had on results.
9.10 Inconsistencies relate to questions identifying volunteers (changes made in 2000, 2005 and 2006); options available to respondents in relation to type of organisation (changes made after 2004); and questions identifying type of volunteering activity undertaken by respondent (question first introduced in 1999 and option changes made in 2005).
9.11 Red vertical lines on charts indicate when changes to questions were made.
Rates of Volunteering
9.12 The following section compares the propensity to volunteer. However, there is no one measurement of volunteering that is common across all SHS years. For the purposes of this analysis, the variable Rf11 is used to identify rates of volunteering in 1999; Rf11a used for 2000 to 2004 with the addition of vol1a in 2006; and vol1 and vol2 for 2005.
Figure 9.1: Percentage of Population Engaged in Volunteering 1999 - 2006 (95% CI)
Note: in 2006 there is a larger confidence interval due to the smaller sample.
9.13 Figure 9.1 illustrates that there was a significant increase in the rates of volunteering reported from 1999 to 2000 following a change in question. Percentages increased from an average of 19.3 to an average of 26.1.
9.14 From 2000 to 2002 reported rates of volunteering remained relatively consistent however, percentages fell in 2003 to (on average) 23.8% and continued to fall (but not significantly) in 2004.
9.15 Following a change in questions in 2005, reported rates of volunteering appeared to fall significantly to 19.8%. This was not what was anticipated following the change in methodology. However, following a further question change in 2006, reported rates of volunteering appeared to increase significantly to an average of 24.5%.
Profile of Volunteers 1999-2006
9.16 This section presents a profile of volunteers across the SHS years, highlights relationships between the propensity of volunteer and particular demographic characteristics and compares rates (where possible) across the SHS sweeps. Demographic variables common to all years and therefore considered in this section are:
- Age
- Gender
- Economic status
- Income (household)
- Urban/rural classification.
9.17 A table showing numerical values in each profile is provided in Annex 4.
9.18 Commentary of the findings in relation to trends in volunteering from 1999 to quarter 3 2006 is set out under each demographic category.
Age
9.19 From 1999 to 2005, the 35 to 44 age group had the highest proportion of volunteers. In 2006, there were no significant differences between the prevalence among those aged 35 to 59 years.
9.20 Prevalence among those aged 16 to 44 and 60 to 74 declines significantly over time across the SHS sweeps to 2005. In 2006, 25 to 44 years was the only age range to experience a significant decline in rates of volunteering from 1999.
9.21 The 75 plus age range is the only band to remain relatively consistent across the sweeps.
Figure 9.2: Profile of Volunteers (Age)
Gender
9.22 Females remain more likely to volunteer than males over time. For males, the prevalence of volunteering is relatively consistent during 1999 and 2004 but declines significantly in 2005. In 2002 the prevalence of females volunteering increases but falls significantly in 2003/04 and again in 2005. Prevalence among males and females increases again significantly in 2006 to (on average) 21.8% and 23.9% respectively.
Figure 9.3: Profile of Volunteers (Gender)
Economic Status
9.23 From 1999 to 2006, the self-employed, part-time employed and school children are the groups with the highest rates of volunteering (in 2006, CI includes or is above 27.8%).
9.24 The prevalence of volunteering for the self-employed, those in full-time and part-time employment, and the unemployed shows a decline in 2003/04, and for the full-time employed this continues to fall in 2005 but increases (on average) to 24.7% in 2006. The difference in rates of prevalence in the other groups is not significant between 2003/04 and 2005.
9.25 The prevalence of volunteering among those in higher/further education falls in 2001/02 and remains consistent in 2003/04, but experienced a drop in 2005. Rates however remained consistent in 2006 at 22.9% (on average). The rate of volunteering among those looking after home and family is relatively consistent until 2005, when rates fell significantly. Rates however, remain consistent in 2006 at 20.4% (on average).
9.26 Rates of volunteering prevalence among three groups remain consistent across the SHS sweeps. These are the retired, those in school, and those permanently sick or disabled.
Figure 9.4: Profile of Volunteers (Economic Status)
Income
9.27 Across all years, individuals with a household income of more than £20,001 are most likely to volunteer
9.28 Prevalence rates among those with a household income of under £10,000 remained consistent across the sweeps, however those with a household income above £10,000 show a significant decline in rates of volunteering. Rates of volunteering among those with a household income of between £10,001 and £15,000 remain consistent from 2003/04 to 2005, however prevalence rates among those with a household income of over £15,001 falls further in 2005.
Figure 9.5: Profile of Volunteers (Income Household)
Urban/Rural Classification
9.29 From 1999 to 2006, remote rural areas have the highest rates of volunteering (in 2006, this was an average of 44.0%).
9.30 Large urban areas experience a significant decline in volunteering from 2003 to 2006 (on average 19.7% in 2006). Rates in small accessible towns remain consistent from 1999 until 2006 where prevalence is an average of 21.7%. Rates in urban areas fell in 2005 along with volunteering prevalence rates in accessible rural areas but increased to levels consistent with earlier sweeps. Rates of volunteering in small remote towns and remote rural areas remained consistent across the SHS sweeps, apart from remote rural areas which experienced a significant increase in volunteering in 2006 from 2005.
Figure 9.6: Profile of Volunteers: (Urban/Rural Classification)
Type of Organisation
9.31 This section focuses on 1999 to 2004 as variables relating to type of volunteering organisation are consistent across these SHS years.
9.32 In 1999, there were fewer types of organisations available for selection, but where types are consistent with other years, percentages of volunteers involved in each are given.
9.33 Figure 9.7 illustrates the proportions of volunteers engaged in different types of organisations and changes across time. Annex 5 provides a table which shows the numerical values of proportions across years.
Figure 9.7: Type of Volunteering Organisation 1999 - 2004
9.34 Figure 9.7 shows the proportions of volunteers involved in a range of organisations from 1999 to 2004.
9.35 The proportions of volunteers involved in the majority of organisational types fell from 1999 to 2004. However, the proportions involved in sports activities increased significantly over the period.
9.36 The proportions involved in working in support of the environment, providing adult education, providing advice, working with animals, playgroups or other children's activities, and community safety remained relatively consistent between 1999 to 2004.
9.37 From 1999 to 2000, the type of organisations that the highest proportions of volunteers were involved with were church/religious activities, working with young people, and 'other' activities. From 2001, onwards, the proportions of volunteers involved in the latter two activities fell. From 2001 to 2002, church/religious activities continued to have the highest proportions of volunteers along with sports activities, which experienced a significant increase in proportions of volunteers compared to other organisational types. Sports activities continued to be the most popular type of organisation to volunteer for to 2004 (where analysis of this group of organisational types ends).
9.38 After showing consistency in the proportions of volunteers involved in their organisational type from 1999, two organisations experienced a significant increase in 2004. These were organisations providing adult education and professional societies and organisations.
Hours Spent Volunteering
9.39 No data relating to hours spent volunteering was recorded in 1999 and thus, this year has been excluded from the analysis.
9.40 The period in which the frequency of volunteering question is set changes from four weeks (1999/2004) to one month (2005/2006). The results from each year are presented in Figure 9.8.
Figure 9.8: Hours Spent Volunteering per month 2000 - 2006
Note: In 2006, the question was changed to ask about the previous 4 weeks, rather than the "average month"
9.41 Similar to patterns relating to the propensity to volunteer, Figure 9.8 shows that hours spent volunteering remains relatively consistent up to 2003. When rates of volunteering fell significantly in 2003, hours spent volunteering increased from an average of 8.6 to 10.31 hours. In 2004, time spent volunteering fell to an average of 9.2 hours, however following a change of questioning in 2005, hours spent volunteering again appeared to increase to an average of 12.8 hours. This suggests that if the change of question caused volunteers to be "lost" it was likely to those who do so less intensely.
9.42 Interestingly, when rates of volunteering appeared to increase in 2006, hours spent volunteering remained consistent from the previous year, however, the question relating to hours volunteering also changed, perhaps making for a more efficient recollection of time given up, by referring to previous weeks, rather than the average month over the course of the year.
Type of Volunteering Activity
9.43 This section focuses on 2000 to 2004 as variables relating to type of volunteering activity are consistent across these years.
Figure 9.9: Type of Volunteering Activity 2000 - 2004
9.44 Figure 9.9 illustrates that between 2000 and 2004, the highest proportion of volunteers were 'providing some kind of service' and percentages involved in this type of activity increased significantly and continued to rise when rates of volunteering fell in 2003. Proportions increased from an average of 53.4% in 2000 to 64.1% in 2004.
9.45 All other activities experienced a significant fall in volunteers over the period apart from management committee activities, proportions of which remained constant from 2000 to 2004.