BECOMING A VOLUNTEER & VALUING VOLUNTEERINGYoung people’s attitudes and experiences in areas of socio-economic deprivationInterim output from PhD thesis

University of Strathclyde | Volunteer Scotland

James Davies

Outline Context Methodology Becoming a volunteer Valuing volunteering Conclusion

Context

‘Classical’ to ‘new’ volunteeringTraditional cultural norms

Individualisation

Traditional cultural identities

Personal interest

Idealism Cost/benefit analysisLong term Short termUnconditional Conditional

Classical and new forms of volunteering (adapted from Hustinx, 2001: 65)

ContextEmployability emphasis

ContextIndividualism + disadvantaged areas/poverty = a problematic relationship?‘Lack of planning […] was the

definitive feature of the majority of the school-to-work, family and housing careers described in this

book’ (2005: 210)

ContextA problem with motivations? Do we presume volunteering to be driven by a

particular motive? What about chance/circumstance? (Holdsworth, 2010)

“Push factors” (Volunteer Scotland, 2015)

1. Parents or guardians2. Teachers3. Friends4. Someone at a group or club

Methodology

School year (age)

Gender Volunteer Non-volunteer

S1-S4 (12-16) Female x 4 x 2Male x 2 x 2

S5-S6 (16-18) Female x 2 -Male - x 3

Focus groups in Glasgow (n = 15)

School year (age)

Gender Volunteer Non-volunteer

S1-S4 (12-16) Female x 2 -Male x 2 x 2

S5-S6 (16-18) Female x 3 -Male x 1 x 2

Interviews in Glasgow (n = 12)

MethodologyVolunteer coordinators Individual interviews (n = 5)

Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) Individual interviews (n = 2)

Becoming a volunteerParticipant to volunteer Not actively seeking opportunities Geographical proximity

I only really started volunteering in there because when I was younger I used to go to the [youth] club, it’s like my friends were like, “Ooh come, like, obviously see this club”, I went and I enjoyed it, so I kept going back and then they were asking me, like, “Because, like, you come regularly would you like to start volunteering?”, I was like, “Well, aye”, [laughs] so I, that’s really how I got into volunteering (Vikki 18, volunteer)

Becoming a volunteerParticipant to volunteer1) Influence of friends Confidence “Safety in numbers”

‘cos I was younger I relied on ma pals as well, we all relied on each other, so like whatever ma pals did, we all did […] when we were that age […] like we all like, if wan person like didnae do something, we didnae do it, like we always just to, like, decided to do the same stuff kinda, so every day we didn’t leave each other, we were like stuck together and done the same stuff(Thomas 17, ex-volunteer)

Becoming a volunteerParticipant to volunteer2) Influence of familyParental involvement in organisationLack of male influence

Nathan Err, ma sister and ma brother done it and my mum’s quite involved in it, that’s really how I found out about it

[…]Matt See my mum and dad were involved in this, it’s ‘cos my mum used to be part of the board so that’s how I found oot about itJames […] did you say your mum was involved in it?Nathan Yeah, she’s the chair of the board(Matt 15, Nathan 14, volunteers)

Becoming a volunteerParticipant to volunteer3) Influence of youth workers Within organisation External organisation (partnerships)

I was walking past one day and she says, “Right you, come here”, pulled me in to do the youth bank form, so I was sitting down there for about three hours tryin’ ‘ae do it(Demi 18, volunteer)

Becoming a volunteerParticipant to volunteer Importance of networks Confidence

it’s about that network I think and I’ve seen young people who didn’t have that positive support that weren’t able to stick being a volunteer because the influences fae outside weren’t as, as positive for them(Tracey, volunteer coordinator)

Valuing volunteeringIndividualism CVs and employment University applications

if it wasn’t for like helping ma CV then I’d’ve thought it was like no’ really any point in it, but ‘cos it, it helps your CV and then and helps you build skills and stuff then it’s better(Scott 15, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringBeyond individualism More than CVs and accreditation

‘cos it’s no’ just ‘ae volunteerin’, gettin’ it done for your Duke of Edinburgh and never going back, like I would never do that […] I would really like to get it [the award] but, like, I’m still gunnae stick to volunteerin’ an’ that just because I’ve completed ma volunteerin’ for Duke of Edinburgh but I still want to stick to it because I love helpin’ and I cannae just like everything that I’ve gained I cannae just throw that away, like I’d like to like develop it and continue it as well(Amy 15, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringPersonal attributes Confidence Communication Social skills

Valuing volunteeringConfidence

See before I started, like, volunteering, see the way you came in today, see if someone just liked walked in and tries, says, “Right, you’re doing this, like, interview”, I’m like, “You cannae”, I wouldnae have been able to do it like […] [youth charity] has just, learnt you how to talk to like new people no matter what […] now you learn how to like blend in with other people (Donna 14, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringCommunication

It’s like communication, like, no’ like gettin’ really frustrated wi’ something and shoutin’ or anything, like, bein’ able ‘ae use like your words tae like express yersel like somehow an’ like talk to younger ones(Brooke 13, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringSocial skills

I think maybe if you’re not volunteerin’ you’re just kinda sticking to your like own group in school, like you know who you know and you just, but wi’ volunteering you get to […] and speak to other people and that’s, it’s quite a good experience (Sophie 17, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringRelationships with “service users”

my friends are like, “Can you come out tonight?”, I’m like, “No I have Scouts”, “Oh just miss it for a night”, like, “No I don’t want to miss it”, like, the kids are better than going out to McDonalds and stuff, much better […] Like the children and stuff are just like amazing, like they’re just great wee people(Orla 16, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringRelationships with youth workers Could also serve to limit (i.e. not wanting to go elsewhere)

James Ok, have you ever tried to like go to any of the [other youth] clubs?Matt Nah I’ve never tried because I prefer this clubJames Ok, what is it you prefer about it?Matt I just like the workers and that, they’re really nice and, there’s nothing else really to say(Matt 15, volunteer)

Valuing volunteeringGood feeling Pleasure from helping others Giving back (in areas with little to do)

they’ve been coming to places like [youth charity] for they were tiny kids and they’ve got a lot out of that so it’s about giving back to the project […] that’s what they would want to do, give back to the community and, and kinda see other young people get the opportunities that they’ve had (Tracey, volunteer coordinator)

Valuing volunteeringSafe space Emotion stresses of poverty Escape troubles at home

when you kinda feel low, and like when I come here I kinda just push maself and like I’m glad that I did come like half the times where I felt low because, I’ve kinda forgot about that because I’ve been too focused on, like, everything else that’s like aroond me at the groups, so I’m glad about that(Amy 15, volunteer)

ConclusionBecoming a volunteer Participant to volunteer

Social networks Not actively seeking volunteering opportunities

Valuing Volunteering (Beyond) individualism Personal skills

Confidence, communication, social skills Relationships

‘Service users’ and youth workers Enjoyable activities

Good feeling Social space

ContactEmail: james.davies@strath.ac.uk Twitter: @james925