What’s Happening in the Third Sector?
Controversy Over Proposed Volunteering ‘Test’ for Migrants
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced plans to make volunteering part of the criteria for migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
The proposal, revealed at the Labour Party Conference, suggests migrants could earn earlier settlement by “giving back” through community volunteering.
Charity leaders, including NCVO, Royal Voluntary Service, and Reach Volunteering, have voiced strong concerns. They warn that making volunteering mandatory undermines its voluntary nature and risks eroding its true value.
Many are emphasising that volunteering should remain an act of compassion and connection, not compliance. One of those is Debra Allcock Tyler – Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change…
“Volunteering is a human gift of compassion, not a bureaucratic test of worth”
Debra Allcock Tyler has responded to government proposals to link volunteering with immigration status in this great article for Third Sector.
She argues that it undermines the true spirit of volunteering, warning that turning a generous act into a bureaucratic requirement risks damaging both communities and charities.
Instead, she calls on the sector to push back, celebrate the real contributions of migrants, and use stories, not stats, to change the narrative.
How to Work with Digitally Excluded Volunteers
A recent Charity Digital article highlights six practical ways to make volunteering more digitally inclusive.
With 1.5 million fewer people volunteering last year and 37% of charities struggling to reach volunteers due to digital barriers, inclusion has never been more important.
Suggestions include offering multiple communication channels (not just online), advertising roles both digitally and offline, and providing printed guides for new tools.
The article also encourages investing in training, onboarding digital champions, and talking directly with volunteers to understand what support they need. Read the full guide here.
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