Scottish Government

CHAPTER FOUR PREVALENCE OF VOLUNTEERING AND PROPENSITY TO VOLUNTEER BY SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Summary

4.1 Our analysis of Scottish Household Survey data confirms that the groups identified in the Scottish Executive's Volunteering Strategy (2004) are less likely to volunteer than society in general.

4.2 Where people in these groups do volunteer, they do so to a similar intensity as the other groups, and face similar barriers to continuing volunteering as other groups. However, they are less likely to volunteer than other groups.

4.3 Specifically, we found the following:

• People with a disability are less likely to volunteer than those without a disability. People in this group could be encouraged to volunteer if they are made aware that opportunities to fit their capabilities are available and that they can do as little or as much as they like.
• Unemployed people are less likely to volunteer than those who are self-employed, employed full or part-time, or retired. This group represents a largely untapped pool of potential volunteers that should be targeted and specific efforts undertaken to overcome the barriers they face to volunteering.
• Young people aged between 16 and 24 are significantly less likely to volunteer than those aged between 35 and 74. Efforts to increase understanding among young people of the benefits of volunteering, such as improving career prospects, should be made.
• People living in the 15% most deprived neighbourhoods in Scotland (according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) are less likely to volunteer than those living in more affluent neighbourhoods.
• People with no formal qualifications are less likely to volunteer than those with qualifications.

4.4 It is our sense that a marketing strategy to raise awareness of volunteering and what it involves among these groups is required in order to achieve the aims laid out in the Scottish Executive's Volunteering Strategy. We believe that other organisations, such as Volunteer Development Scotland, as well as the Scottish Executive, have a role in developing and implementing this strategy.

Introduction

4.5 This chapter reports on the prevalence of volunteering and considers the association between the propensity to volunteer and certain socio-demographic factors.

4.6 This chapter is set out under the following headings:

• Prevalence of volunteering
• Factors associated with propensity to volunteer
• Propensity to volunteer by socio-demographic characteristics

Prevalence of Volunteering

4.7 To identify if participants of the Scottish Household Survey 2005 volunteered, participants were asked to identify the type of organisations they volunteer for/have volunteered for in the last 12 months. A list of variables used to identify volunteers (Vol1) is given in Annex 4.

4.8 Volunteering questions were asked of the whole sample in quarters one and two and of half of the sample in quarters three and four, which equated to a total of 10,160 participants. The calculation of prevalence of volunteering was based on all responses to these questions.

4.9 Of 10,160 participants, 2,015 reported that they volunteer/have volunteered in the last 12 months. This equates to approximately 19.8% of the sample (95% confidence interval: 19.1% - 20.6%).

Factors associated with propensity to volunteer

4.10 A detailed investigation of the factors associated with motivation for volunteering in Scotland has been conducted via the use of a regression approach. In estimating an odds ratio, one value of each factor is treated as a 'reference' value relative to which the estimated odds ratio is expressed. The odds ratios reported are expressed relative to that reference value. In general, the value of the factor which is most common in the data (that is, that which applies to the greatest number of respondents) is chosen as the reference level.

4.11 For each demographic factor, the regression models report on the following:

• the odds ratio estimate associated with each value relative to the reference value
• the 95% confidence interval for the odds ratio estimate
• the associated p value (small values [that is, highly significant effects] are shown as '<0.01').

4.12 The variables included as predictors in the regression analysis are:

• age
• sex
• economic status
• annual household income
• urban/rural classification
• ethnic group
• SIMD 15%
• illness and disability.

4.13 The Nagelkerke R ² value for this regression model is 0.08; that is, only 8% of the total variation in the outcome (that is, the probability of volunteering) is explained by the factors in the model.

4.14 That these variables, taken in combination, account for only 8% of the variation in volunteering suggests that the decision to volunteer is motivated by considerations in addition to those listed at paragraph 4.12.

4.15 More important considerations may be purely personal and specific to the individual. An individual may be motivated to volunteer to help people in a similar situation to one experienced by themselves, a family member or friend. For instance, a family history of cancer may motivate an individual to volunteer with a cancer-related charity.

4.16 This hypothesis is supported by our qualitative research with current and former volunteers, where a number of participants mentioned, unprompted, that they had been motivated to volunteer as a result of their own experience, or that of a friend or family member, of a particular situation, problem or condition. A former volunteer said that she was motivated to volunteer to "help people who had been through similar experiences" to herself. For instance:

• one participant experienced difficulties after being identified as dyslexic as an adult and now, out of a desire to help people in a similar situation, works as a voluntary tutor with dyslexic adults
• another participant volunteered with a muscular dystrophy charity after a friend's family member was diagnosed with the condition
• a current volunteer in Fife volunteers with an addictions charity because his mother suffered from alcoholism
• one female volunteer in Fife said that she volunteers "to give back what I got" to an organisation who cared for her husband when he was ill
• another current volunteer decided to volunteer with the Red Cross when her lack of first aid knowledge was highlighted when her son had an accident and she was unable to treat him.

4.17 In Chapters 7 and 8 of this report we analyse attractions and barriers to volunteering in greater detail.

4.18 Below we have analysed and summarised the association between propensity to volunteer and the following demographic characteristics relating to the six groups who are consistently under-represented in volunteering. These groups are:

• individuals from lower socio-economic groups
• the long term sick and disabled
• the unemployed
• young people
• individuals from deprived backgrounds
• individuals with lower qualifications.

4.19 We have also analysed the data to look at any variation in propensity to volunteer by sex, ethnicity, by urban/rural, and by place of residence over and above the 15% most deprived datazones.

4.20 Although overall the variables at 4.12, taken in combination, account for only 8% of the variation in volunteering we have set out below the summary and then the detailed analysis of where the variation occurs across a range of factors.

4.21 We have analysed in detail below the extent to which these groups are involved in volunteering.

4.22 Later in this report we examine attractions and barriers to volunteering in greater detail, again based on Scottish Household Survey data and augmented by information gathered through focus groups and telephone interviews, and evidence from relevant previous research.

Lower Socio-Economic Groups

Economic status

Figure 4.1: Prevalence of Volunteering by Economic Status

Table 4.1: Prevalence of Volunteering by Economic Status

Note: Groupings 'at school', 'in government work/training scheme', 'unable to work due to short term health' and 'other' have been omitted from the table due to small sample size (under 150).

Table 4.2: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Economic Status

Note: 'Other' has been omitted from the table due to small sample size (under 150)

4.23 Of all respondents to the Scottish Household Survey 2005, 19.8% (95% CI: 19.1% - 20.6%) volunteer. The proportions of those in self employment and part-time employment that volunteer, displayed in Figure 4.1, are significantly more likely to volunteer than the general sample population. The groups significantly less likely to volunteer are the permanently sick or disabled and unemployed and seeking work.

4.24 The odds ratio estimates report that relative to those in full-time employment, most other groups are more likely to be volunteers. Exceptions are the self-employed and those looking after the home/family. However, these groups do not differ significantly in statistical terms from full-time employees in their propensity to volunteer.

4.25 As the regression analysis table in Annex 5 illustrates, those whose economic status is self-employed or who are engaged in looking after their homes or families, are more likely to perform higher levels of service, that is volunteer more frequently, than those in full-time employment.

Long-term Sick and Disabled

4.26 13.6% of Scottish Household Survey respondents with a disability volunteer, compared to 21.7% of those without an illness or disability.

4.27 Ill health and disabilities may hinder an individual's ability to volunteer by, for example, causing a lack of energy. Practical issues can also hinder the ability of an individual with a disability or illness to volunteer, for example, if there is a lack of disabled parking spaces and the individual is physically unable to walk.

Disability

Table 4.3: Prevalence of Volunteering by Disability

Table 4.4: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Disability

4.28 Tables 4.3 and 4.4 report people with a disability are less likely to volunteer than those without a disability or health problem. On average 13.6% of people with a disability volunteer, compared to 21.7% of those without a disability or health problem.

4.29 However, as table 6.4 indicates, permanently sick or disabled people who do volunteer tend to do so quite frequently. They are likely to volunteer either once a week or several times a week. This is similar to the survey as a whole.

4.30 As discussed in Chapter 8, sick or disabled volunteers are most likely to have stopped volunteering as a result of ill health. They may be tempted back into volunteering if their health was better, but the largest proportion indicated that nothing would encourage them to re-start volunteering.

4.31 Therefore, marketing directed at people who are long-term sick or disabled should be sensitive - making it clear that opportunities to fit their capabilities do exist, but that it is acceptable to do as much or as little as they want, and that they will not be blamed if they are forced to give up volunteering.

Unemployed

4.32 13.5% of unemployed people currently volunteer, a significantly smaller proportion of volunteers than the survey sample and among those who are self-employed, employed part-time or full-time, or retired.

4.33 As can be seen in Table 6.4, unemployed people who do volunteer are likely to volunteer with similar frequency to other groups - once or several times a week.

4.34 Unemployed respondents state that they are likely to have stopped volunteering as a result of moving house, as illustrated in Table 8.4. Compared to respondents in other economic status groups, former volunteers in this group are significantly more likely to re-start volunteering if they could afford it, and they are significantly less likely than the survey sample to say that nothing would encourage them to re-start volunteering, as shown in Table 7.4.

4.35 86.5% of unemployed respondents do not currently volunteer. However, they are significantly less likely than the survey as a whole to say that nothing would encourage them to volunteer, and have plenty to gain from volunteering in terms of improving their employment prospects. Therefore, our findings suggest that unemployed people represent a potential pool of volunteers that is largely untapped at present. This group of people were likely to say they would be encouraged to volunteer if they could afford it. Consequently, offering higher allowances, and paying for expenses such as transport, lunches, clothes and childcare may encourage this group to volunteer. Careful targeted marketing is required to encourage unemployed people to volunteer.

Young People

4.36 16.5% of 16-24 year olds currently volunteer. This is a larger proportion (although the difference is not statistically significant) than 25-34 year olds (15.9%) and people aged over 70 (12.7%) (see table 4.5), but lower than the survey sample Our analysis confirms that a smaller proportion of this age group volunteers compared with those aged between 35 and 74.

4.37 As illustrated in table 5.5, volunteers in this age group are more likely to volunteer for organisations involved in activity related to young people, children and sports or physical recreation than any other category.

4.38 This age group is significantly more likely than any other age group to volunteer with organisations involved in black and minority ethnic issues.

4.39 This age group is more likely to undertake the following activities when volunteering than any other activity:

• raising money
• helping to organise or run activities and events
• generally helping out
• doing whatever is required.

4.40 Although 16-24 year olds are less likely to volunteer than many other age groups, those who do volunteer do so with a similar frequency to other age groups - once a week and they volunteer for a similar number of hours per month as other age groups, as illustrated in Tables 6.3 and 6.8.

4.41 Volunteers aged 16-24 state that they are more likely to stop volunteering due to lack of time than any other reason (please refer to Table 8.2), perhaps as a result of their high level of involvement with organisations focussed on young people. Another explanation for this, identified by our telephone interviews, may be that people in this age group who volunteer do so through school-organised activities and when they leave (or become too old for) school, they stop volunteering. The only age group more likely to give this reason is those aged over 74.

4.42 Table 7.2 shows that volunteers in this age group who have stopped volunteering are most likely to say that nothing would tempt them to re-start volunteering. Where they could potentially be tempted back, they would be more likely to re-start if volunteering fitted in with their other commitments.

4.43 To encourage this age group to volunteer, a marketing campaign to raise understanding among this group of the benefits of volunteering, for example its potential to improve their career prospects, would be beneficial. It should be noted that activity in this area is already underway. Project Scotland, a programme launched in 2005, is designed to attract people aged 16-25 to volunteering and stresses the benefits of doing so, such as improved career prospects, to them.

Age

Figure 4.2: Prevalence of Volunteering by Age

Table 4.5: Prevalence of Volunteering by Age

Table 4.6: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Age

4.44 Figure 4.2 suggests that the highest proportion of volunteers are in the 35 to 44 age group (24.5%), followed by the 60 to 74 age group (22.4%).

4.45 Tables 4.5 and 4.6 illustrate that those younger than the reference group - those aged between 16 and 34 years - are significantly less likely to perform voluntary work. This is also true of the elderly (75 years and over).

4.46 The regression analysis table in Annex 5 illustrates that individuals aged 16-44 years are less likely to perform higher levels of service, that is, volunteer more often than those aged 45-59 years.

Deprived Backgrounds

4.47 We compared the prevalence of volunteering among individuals who live in neighbourhoods identified by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation as among the most deprived 15% in Scotland, with the prevalence among individuals living outwith the most deprived 15%.

4.48 Our analysis, set out in Table 4.7, confirms that people who live in areas of high deprivation are less likely to volunteer than those who do not. 10.9% of people living in the most deprived 15% currently volunteer, compared with 21.4% of the population living in areas outwith the 15% most deprived.

Most Deprived 15% Datazones (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation)

Figure 4.3: Prevalence of Volunteering by SIMD Datazones (15% Most Deprived)

Table 4.7: Prevalence of Volunteering by SIMD Datazones (15% Most Deprived)

Table 4.8: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by SIMD Datazones (15% Most Deprived)

4.49 Figure 4.3 and Tables 4.7 and 4.8 illustrate that those living outwith the 15% most deprived datazones are significantly more likely to volunteer than those living in these datazones.

Lacking Formal Qualifications

4.50 Our analysis found that people with no formal qualifications are less likely than those with qualifications to volunteer (Table 4.9).

4.51 In addition, those with higher level qualifications are more likely to volunteer than those with lower level qualifications at every stage.

4.52 To attract people lacking in formal qualifications into volunteering, awareness should be raised among this group that volunteering is for everyone, regardless of the qualifications that they hold, and that it is even possible to gain qualifications through volunteering.

Qualifications

Figure 4.4: Prevalence of Volunteering by Qualifications

Table 4.9: Prevalence of Volunteering by Qualifications

Summary

4.53 Our analysis overall found that:

• females are more likely to volunteer than men
• there is no significant difference between white and non-white respondents in their propensity to volunteer
• as household income increases, so does the propensity to volunteer
• respondents in rural areas are more likely to volunteer than those in urban areas
• respondents living in the Highlands and Islands, Dunbartonshire and Southern Scotland are significantly more likely to volunteer than those in other local authority groupings.

4.54 In terms of the specific groups whom we know from past surveys are consistently under-represented in volunteering, our analysis of the 2005 SHS found in summary that:

• respondents who are unemployed or permanently sick or disabled are less likely to volunteer than those who are retired, self-employed or employed full or part-time
• young people - those aged between 16 and 34 years are less likely to volunteer than those aged between 35 and 74
• respondents living in deprived areas are significantly less likely to volunteer than those who do not live in the most deprived areas
• respondents with no qualifications are significantly less likely to volunteer than those with qualifications.

4.55 The more detailed statistical analysis of each of these categories follows:

Gender

Figure 4.5: Prevalence of Volunteering by Gender

Table 4.10: Prevalence of Volunteering by Gender

Table 4.11: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Age

4.56 Figure 4.5 and Tables 4.10 and 4.11 illustrate that females are significantly more likely to volunteer than men.

Ethnicity

Figure 4.6 Prevalence of Volunteering by Ethnicity

Table 4.12: Prevalence of Volunteering by Ethnicity

Table 4.13: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Ethnicity

4.57 While Figure 4.6 suggests that people of white ethnicity are more likely to volunteer than non-white people, Tables 4.12 and 4.13 illustrate that there is no significant difference between white and non-white respondents in their propensity to volunteer.

Household Income

Figure 4.7: Prevalence of Volunteering by Household Income

Table 4.14: Prevalence of Volunteering by Household Income

Table 4.15: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Household Income

4.58 Figure 4.7 and Table 4.14 illustrate that as the level of annual household income increases, so does the propensity to volunteer. Table 4.15 suggests that above the reference income band (£10,001 to £15,000) there is a striking gradient, increasing income being associated with a greater likelihood of volunteering

Place of Residence

Urban/Rural Classification

Figure 4.8: Prevalence of Volunteering by Urban/Rural Classification

Table 4.16: Prevalence of Volunteering by Urban/Rural Classification

Table 4.17: Odds Ratio Estimates for the Probability of Engaging in Voluntary Work by Urban/Rural Classification

4.59 Timbrell (2006) found that there are proportionately more volunteers in rural areas than urban areas.

4.60 This is confirmed by Figure 4.8 and Tables 4.16 and 4.17, which illustrate that respondents in small remote towns, accessible rural and remote rural areas are significantly more likely to volunteer than those in large urban areas, other urban areas and small accessible towns.

Local Authority Groupings

Figure 4.9: Prevalence of Volunteering by Local Authority Grouping

Table 4.18: Prevalence of Volunteering by Local Authority Grouping

4.61 Respondents living in the Highlands and Islands, Dunbartonshire and Southern Scotland are significantly more likely to volunteer than those in other local authority groupings, with the Highlands and Islands being the area with the highest proportion of volunteers.

4.62 The areas with the lowest proportion of volunteers are North Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Glasgow, Fife, Central, Tayside and Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.