MPs have called for more support to help people volunteer, including a new fund to help pay travel expenses.
During a debate on volunteering in parliament yesterday, MPs paid tribute to the work of volunteers and the crucial role they play in supporting charities.
But they also put forward ideas for how people could be better supported to volunteer.
Sir Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, suggested a fund for people who need financial help to support volunteering work.
“If someone is struggling financially and economically to put food on the table for their kids, then the cost of the bus or train fare is prohibitive,” he said.
“Many people will feel reluctant to ask the charity for the money, so they end up not volunteering at all.
“I would love it if there were some form of bank where all that need could be met.
“Perhaps that is a project for someone for the future – a particular charitable venture.”
Jo Gideon, the Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, called for the government to introduce a right for employees to ask for paid leave for volunteering or amending employment law to allow reasonable time off for trustee duties.
“People, particularly the younger generation, are increasingly conscious of companies’ reputations and corporate responsibility records,” she said.
“They want to shop with businesses that they see as ethical and are determined to work for organisations whose values they share. We should make it easier for businesses to do this, and work with employers to make volunteering easier.”
Gideon also called for an uplift to the approved mileage allowance payment, which is used to reimburse volunteers who use their own cars and has not changed since 2012.
“To enable more people to give their time, might the minister consider a fair, transparent review of the approved rate?” she asked.
Richard Thomson, the SNP MP for Gordon, said more could be done to support people to volunteer.
“For some time, we have had the right to ask for flexible working, even if there is no entitlement to always get it,” he said.
“That right at least exists, but it is much harder for many small businesses or small and medium-sized enterprises to support an employee in that, no matter what other benefits that individual might get and how they might grow in the process.
“Even something as basic as offering greater support to employees to allow those who wish to volunteer or who need to work unconventional hours to do so – whether that is for volunteering in its purest sense or for caring responsibilities for family, a child or an older relative – could transform not just the economy, but the quality of life for millions and millions of people.”
Wera Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, also said worries about being out of pocket were a barrier to people volunteering, which have been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.
“For example, if someone previously commuted to a volunteering position by train, the increased fares may push that activity over the edge of affordability,” she said.
“Work commitments and caring responsibilities are also often cited as significant reasons for not volunteering. In many ways, it is not a surprise that as life gets harder, people’s attention focuses elsewhere and volunteering will decrease.”
Stuart Andrew, the Minister for Civil Society, paid tribute to “the power of volunteering”.
He said: “It is a cornerstone of our society and I am grateful for the selflessness we see.
“However, quality volunteering also requires effort and support, so I also pay tribute to the people who make volunteering happen and work tirelessly with volunteers day in and day out.”
Responding to the call for paid leave for volunteers and trustees, Andrew said he understood where people were coming from but there was a danger that it could become a problem for small and medium-sized businesses.
“However, we do want to see employers develop their own corporate responsibility programmes and to encourage businesses, the public sector and charities to consider the role that employer-supported volunteering can play as part of their impact on society.
“We do try to encourage that and show the best examples of how that actually benefits the business, often.”
Responding to the call for an increase in the approved mileage allowance, he said this was a matter for the Treasury.