Although Somerset has a thriving community of volunteers, in recent years the number of people participating has been declining. In 2024, 24% of VCFSE organisations observed a decline (State of the Sector, Spark Somerset), reflecting national trends influenced by the cost-of-living crisis.

Working alongside health partners as part of the Volunteering for Health programme, we’re exploring how the volunteering landscape  in Somerset can become less fragmented and continue to flourish, reducing pressure on the system and supporting better health and care outcomes.

We commissioned Wonder Insight to deliver a 6-month research project to inform the approach for the coming years, ensuring solutions and assumptions are based on real feedback.

Drawing on feedback from 255 current, lapsed and potential volunteers and over 70 organisations, the findings highlight key issues such as over-reliance on an ageing volunteer population, lack of capacity to support volunteers, and limited collaboration between VCFSEs. Just as importantly, they identify opportunities to engage with younger people and businesses, develop skills-based pathways, and reimagine volunteering to make it more inclusive.

The report will be used to inform future strategies like the ‘Vision for Volunteering’, a shared framework for making volunteering in Somerset more effective, rewarding and accessible to all.