Volunteering in the United Kingdom: The Spirit of Service - Paperback

by John Mohan (Author)

Substantial claims are made about the extent and impacts of volunteering, often characterised by limited engagement with research evidence. Volunteering is highly stratified, so whether it can bridge social divisions in an unequal society is questionable. Volunteering may have some benefits for individuals and communities, but these impacts are often marginal; volunteering is not a treatment that can be prescribed with certainty. There is certainly a strong 'spirit of service' evident in the British population, but it requires considerable faith to believe that it can be extended to all. This book provides a comprehensive and original overview of evidence about the patterns and impacts of volunteering, underpinning a novel, but sceptical, assessment of the contributions of voluntary action to British society.

Back Jacket

'This wide-ranging review of the data on volunteering will be valuable for anyone with an interest in this topic. For those working with and leading volunteers, it offers an accessible route into engaging with the breadth of academic data on volunteering, and to understanding the changing policy context within which it has been operating in recent years.'
Helen Timbrell, Centre for Charity Effectiveness

'This long overdue analysis is a welcome contribution to our understanding of the scope and impact of volunteering. Based upon a wide-ranging review of post-war trends, policies and practice, this thought-provoking critical analysis challenges widely held views on volunteering. Volunteering shouldn't be taken for granted - and this analysis should inform policy and practice over the coming decade.'
Karl Wilding, University of Kent

'Volunteering is as old as time - both universal and politically highly contested. In this insightful panoramic view, John Mohan skilfully interrogates the debate about volunteering and at the same time promotes its real and eternal value.'
Julia Unwin, Chair of Civil Society Futures Inquiry 2017-19

Strong claims are often made about the extent and benefits of voluntary action. Stakeholders vigorously argue that volunteering can be expanded, and that the 'spirit of social action' can be mobilised for the collective good. However, such contentions are often loosely based in evidence.

Volunteering is frequently invoked as an 'essential renewable resource' for social development, but is it a universal one? Voluntary action - who does what, where, and how much they do - is highly stratified, yet little attention is paid to socioeconomic variations in participation. Claims made about volunteering range from very broad statements about its ability to support a healthy democracy to assertions about its assured benefits for health and well-being, civic engagement, employability and social capital.

Considerable hopes are invested in volunteering, but can it bear the weight of expectations thrust upon it? This book provides an informed understanding of the character, distribution and impacts of volunteering. It offers a balanced account of evidence for the benefits of volunteering, and presents a critical assessment of the likelihood of spreading the 'spirit of service' throughout the population.

Author Biography

John Mohan is Professor of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham.