The London Vision for Volunteering is here!
20/03/25
Today is the day! We are very excited to launch the London Vision for Volunteering!
The Vision aims to provide a blueprint for developing volunteering in London. With 36 recommendations, the goal is to make meaningful change, while also understanding that more work and time will be needed in some areas.
While this report seeks to drive significant improvements in volunteering, we recognise that many changes will require influence beyond the volunteering sector. The recommendations are thoughtful and practical, designed to positively impact volunteering in London.
Volunteers are essential not only to the voluntary and community sector but also to how London and the UK operate. If everyone who volunteers – formally or informally – stopped, London would struggle to function. Since volunteering is crucial to London’s society, we need a plan to support and grow it, especially now that formal volunteering rates are decreasing. Research shows that volunteering across the UK, including London, is on the decline.
Beginning in spring 2024 and funded by the Mayor of London, this project has involved collaboration with many stakeholders across London, with input from each and every borough. The goal was to bring people together to form recommendations based on the insights of those with experience in volunteering, rather than trying to cover every possible angle.
The report is led by Dominic Pinkney from Works4U, with support from local volunteer centres, London Plus and the London Volunteering Strategy Group (LVSG), and contributions from individuals and businesses from across every London borough. Works4U engaged and carried out one-to-one interviews, group sessions and workshops as well as tailored surveys to various stakeholders: Volunteer Managers, Trustees, Londoners and Employee Volunteering. This work was promoted widely through social media and in the voluntary sector press. To encourage further opportunity for input and feedback, a draft report was published with recommendations and shared widely for consultation. This final Vision and its recommendations have been produced and developed thanks to the valuable contributions gathered during the consultation phase.
A very big thank you to each and every individual, organisation and business who has generously shared knowledge, experience and ideas throughout the project. It has been a truly collaborative process!
Every contribution has helped to shape London’s volunteering future and will support volunteering communities to thrive. We couldn’t have done it without you, so please take a moment to share and celebrate this fantastic achievement!
Look out for us today and in the coming weeks on social media and help spread the news about the London Vision for Volunteering using the hashtag #LondonV4V.