What’s Happening in the Third Sector?
Rethinking Volunteering for the Next Generation
With Labour proposing to lower the voting age to 16, charities and VIOs have a growing reason to engage with younger audiences. New research highlights that 16–24-year-olds are passionate about causes like cancer, animal welfare, mental health, homelessness, and women’s rights. They’re also the age group most likely to take part in campaigning and believe in their ability to drive change.
Despite positivity toward them, young people often struggle to name major charities. Many are more engaged with grassroots activism, ethical spending, and digital micro-giving than traditional charity models.
There’s a real opportunity now for charities to connect with the younger generation by listening to their views, aligning with their values, and showing up in the spaces they already occupy.
Read more on this over at nfpResearch.
British Cycling Foundation Launches with Nationwide Volunteering Push
British Cycling kicked off its new charitable arm – the British Cycling Foundation – with over 270 riders, coaches, and staff volunteering across 59 community projects in a single day. That’s 1,200+ hours of hands-on action, from foodbank deliveries by cargo bike to inclusive rides and bike repairs.
Led by Olympic legend Ed Clancy OBE, the foundation aims to tackle inequality, boost mental and physical health, and promote inclusion through cycling.
Disconnect Between Workplace Volunteering Policies and Practice
A new report from OnHand reveals a major gap between the availability of workplace volunteering opportunities and actual employee participation in the UK. While over 77% of employees say their company offers paid time for volunteering, 38% never use it, and fewer than 10% volunteer regularly.
The report highlights key barriers, including a lack of clarity around volunteering policies and limited flexibility. Notably, 1 in 5 employees don’t know how much volunteering time they’re entitled to, and most workplaces only offer one day per year.
Despite this, 72% of employees say their workplace has a supportive volunteering culture. OnHand’s CEO, Sanjay Lobo MBE, stresses that to close the gap, employers must lead by example, celebrate volunteers, and offer flexible, clear, and well-communicated opportunities, especially for new hires.
Read the full report: From Policy to Practice – Bridging the Workplace Volunteering Disconnect.
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