Volunteering Research and Public Policy John Lee Kathleen Doyle 27 November 2018

The Politics of Volunteering Volunteering a devolved issue: Policy divergence – distinctly Scottish approaches to volunteering Reserved policy areas which can affect volunteering: welfare reform Volunteers have no legal status or definition in the UK: A model based on best practice rather than ‘rights’ or legislation 27 November 2018

Volunteering Since Devolution Scottish Government Scottish Parliament Active Communities Strategy National Vol Strategy NHSScotland Strategy Third Sector Interfaces Volunteering Round Table Reform of Public Services in Scotland Social Justice/Inclusion Localism Phase 1 - Strategy Phase 2- Infrastructure 27 November 2018 2007

Current Policy Priorities Reshaping care Focus on prevention Reform of public services 27 November 2018

The Scottish Household Survey (SHS) An estimated 30% of adults in Scotland volunteered in 2011 Volunteering participation has largely held steady over the past ten years.

Percentage providing unpaid help to organisations or groups in the last 12 months by gender and year 2007 to 2011 data, Adults (2011 base: 6,428; minimum: 2,782) Levels of volunteering have remained relatively stable over the last five years, with around three in ten people providing unpaid help to organisations or groups. Levels of volunteering vary according to gender across all age groups. Overall, a slightly higher percentage of women (33%) than men (27%) volunteered in the last twelve months. Source: SHS (2007 to 2011) 27 November 2018

Secondary analysis of the SHS data from 2007-2009 Those living in rural areas are more likely to volunteer than those in urban areas, this strength of this positive relationship increases with remoteness. Source: SHS (2009-10) 27 November 2018

Formal volunteering in Local Authority Areas Rates of participation vary significantly across Local Authority Areas SHS estimates in 2009-10 are: Highest rates in: Eilean Siar (57%) Highland (47%) Average rates at 30% in: Stirling, South Ayrshire and East Dunbartonshire Lowest rates in: Renfrewshire (20%) and North Lanarkshire (21%) Will provide handout for all LAA participation rates 27 November 2018

I’m very likely to volunteer formally I live in a very remote, rural area. I live in a neighbourhood with high levels of education and better health. I am a woman I’m educated I’m either aged 16-24 or 60-64 I have more than 2, but less than 5 children. Age – participation does not vary significantly – see AR paper Need to mention some differences in young and mid range but doesn’t vary great Having children = twice as likely than those without My household income is relatively high, I own my house. Rutherford, A. & Harper, H. (2012) Understanding Volunteering Participation: A quantitative analysis of volunteering data in the Scottish Household Survey (forthcoming)

Group Discussion How big a role should volunteering play in current policy priorities (national/local)? 15 mins Based on your experience, how is volunteering changing? Feedback 27 November 2018