Join strategists from Great State as they reveal findings from research into the UK voluntary sector exploring why volunteering organisations face an existential challenge, and what they need to do now to survive.
Formal volunteering has plummeted from 27% to 17% in a decade, yet charities are more reliant on volunteers than ever. But this isn't a motivation problem – 84% of Gen Z want to support causes. It's an experience problem.
In this 60-minute session (including Q&A), you'll discover:
- The crisis: As digital expectations set by everyday brands rise exponentially, the gap between what volunteers expect and what charities deliver has become a participation killer. When onboarding is clunky, roles are unclear and processes are rigid, volunteers move on – to better, easier alternatives.
- The insight: From qualitative research with leading national charities (Save The Children, Cancer Research UK, RNLI, Age UK and others), what works: clarity on value exchange, flexibility, real human connection, effortless digital, and strategic AI use.
- The benefit: The Great State team will offer up four actionable workstreams to help level up and shorten the gap between typical volunteering experience and what today’s volunteers expect.
This session is for anyone responsible for volunteering – whether you lead strategy, manage volunteers, run digital, or deliver day-to-day at any size charity. You'll leave knowing exactly what to do next.
Presenter bios: Daniel Vincent is a human-centred strategist committed to using strategic thinking to transform society for the better. Having worked with organisations including Vodafone, the British Army and the RNLI, as well as purpose-driven NGOs, he brings a grounded, insight-led approach to complex problems, helping clients deepen audience connection and drive meaningful change. Helen Evans Morris has over 10 years’ experience in digital, working across a wide range of organisations both client and agency-side.