Volunteer work

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.

Related topics

• Unpaid domestic work
• Unpaid care
• Unpaid childcare