Employment

Volunteer work

About this topic

Volunteer work records whether people aged 15 years and over spent time doing voluntary work through an organisation or group in the previous 12 months. It is a measure of formal volunteering, not all informal help between neighbours, family, or friends.

This topic can indicate community participation, social connectedness, and the capacity of local organisations to attract volunteers. The 2021 Census should be interpreted carefully because COVID-19 restrictions reduced volunteering activity in many places.

Interpretation notes

  • The Census counts voluntary work through an organisation or group, so it excludes informal help given outside formal organisations.
  • The question refers to the previous 12 months for people aged 15 years and over.
  • 2021 volunteering levels were affected by COVID-19 restrictions in many places, so change over time needs care.

Key insight

In 2021, not volunteering was the most common response among residents aged 15 and over in Railton (part), accounting for 76.1% (680 people). This share was higher than Kentish (M) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in not volunteering, which decreased by 1,499 people, while its share rose by 0.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Volunteer work

Railton (part) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises volunteer work for Railton (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Kentish (M) and change since 2016.

Volunteer work snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Railton (part), with comparison markers for Kentish (M).

Railton (part)
Kentish (M)

Total Volunteer

2021 count

129

% of total

14.4%

Change from 2016

+2.1pp

Total Not A Volunteer

2021 count

680

% of total

76.1%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Total Voluntary Work Not Stated

2021 count

85

% of total

9.5%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Data table

Volunteer work for Railton (part). Volunteer work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).

Volunteer work for Railton (part). Volunteer work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).
Volunteer work for Railton (part). Volunteer work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Kentish (M)%Count%Kentish (M)%Countpp
Total Volunteer12914.4%18.2%35412.3%22.5%-225+2.1pp
Total Not A Volunteer68076.1%73.1%2,17975.9%68.3%-1,499+0.2pp
Total Voluntary Work Not Stated859.5%8.7%33411.6%9.1%-249-2.1pp
Total893100.0%100.0%2,870100.0%100.0%-1,9770.0pp