This research report (Carregha, Tania et al., Institute for Community Studies, 2022) can be found here.
The report:
- explores young people’s perceptions and experiences of volunteering, and ways to increase levels of volunteering by young people.
- outlines the background to the study, where the ‘volunteering journey’ is intended to encapsulate the range of activities and experiences available to young people as they transition to adulthood, and describes the mixed methods approach to research.
- identifies three core themes: establishing a common language for youth volunteering; supporting volunteer literacy for all young people; and enhancing youth-centred pathways in the volunteering journey. Explores the importance of place-based provision and routes into volunteering.
- summarises key findings and presents recommendations aimed at developing a youth-centred approach to volunteering to increase participation by young people.
It found that what young people chose for preferred volunteering experiences varied across place based contexts. The authors suggest that that, among different options, ‘..increased access to or contact with nature may make young people more interested in environmental causes..’.
The report suggests that environment and climate change can be one of several motivating themes for this new model for youth volunteering.
