Scouts’ survey highlights the difficulties facing volunteers
SCOUTING volunteers are finding it increasingly difficult to balance volunteering and work commitments, they have reported, despite the organisation recording another record year of growth.
New research conducted by The Scout Association highlighted the positive impact volunteering has on the lives and mental wellbeing of those who volunteer.
The research showed that the majority of volunteers reported having improved life satisfaction and self-esteem since beginning volunteer work, as well as some having reduced feelings of loneliness and stress.
However, despite the correlation between volunteering, improved workplace performance, and employee wellbeing, the survey also raised some concerns.
Nearly two in three volunteers said they found it difficult to balance volunteering and work commitments and nearly one in three full-time workers said they aren’t comfortable asking their employer for more flexibility to support their volunteering activity.
Bailiwick Scouts commissioner Nick Paluch said employers needed to have more flexibility.
‘As one of the island’s leading youth charities, we’re acutely aware of the importance of all the volunteers who give up their time every single day to help others.
‘With the majority of volunteers saying they feel more motivated, confident and more skilled as a result of the work they do with us, it’s not just those they’re helping who benefit.
‘However, the fact that a third of full-time workers are not comfortable asking for more flexibility and understanding from their employer to enable them to volunteer is concerning and shows that we need a national conversation on the ways businesses, big and small, can better develop policies that support flexible working practices for those who volunteer outside of work.
‘With known benefits to workers’ productivity, confidence and the extra skills they are gaining, being more flexible clearly benefits employers as well as their staff.’
In 2017, the Scouts in the Bailiwick made a public appeal for more male volunteers and since then 24 have signed up.
These volunteers have supported the improvement of the youth membership, with a total of 239 adults and 611 young people now enjoying Scouting in Guernsey.
