New report reveals real value of volunteering

An independent report today illustrates how volunteers contribute millions of pounds' worth of hidden time, commitment and energy to the charity sector every year.

The research, conducted by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Office for Public Management, estimates that the total value of volunteers to Action for Children's children's centres is almost £1,183,000.

Action for Children's Maureen Nuttall comments: "As well as supporting the charity sector, our volunteers are invaluable in their support to the UK's most vulnerable and neglected children.

"Seeing the facts summed up like this reiterates the need to invest in our volunteers - to ensure they get just as much out of their experience as they put in."

The report clarifies that the most common motivation for volunteering is the desire to give something back.

While staff who work in Action for Children's children's centres highlighted the far-reaching value of volunteering; with approximately half citing that the most important impact volunteers make is as role models to their wider community.

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