Interesting Facts
- 31% of adults (1.27m people) in Scotland volunteer through an organisation or group (Scottish Household Survey, 2007/8).
- These volunteers give over 142m hours each year, equating to an economic value of £2.2bn.
- More than 100 million Europeans (around 30%) engage in voluntary activities (Eurobarometer, 2008).
- 60% of people feel they have never been asked to volunteer (VDS, 2004).
- An estimated 78% of young people do not associate volunteering with good citizenship (Being Young in Scotland, 2009).
- Volunteering can deliver health benefits to volunteers (Volunteering England, 2008).
- Volunteers report that their volunteering provides them with valuable skills and experience, and helps them find a job.
- Volunteering can have major positive benefits, including skills development, health improvement, mental wellbeing, building confidence and self esteem.
