Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 1/59 - Understanding local patterns of voluntee…

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 2/59 - Our mission is to develop better connect…

Our mission is to develop better connected and stronger communities across the UK.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 3/59 - About this paper

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 4/59 - Table of contents

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 5/59 - 1. Introduction

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 6/59 - volunteering activities, yet this still …

volunteering activities, yet this still only applies to non-relatives and research is needed to understand if this is how individuals self-define their actions.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 7/59 - The findings from this review were also …

The findings from this review were also used to define thematic areas of enquiry which formed the basis for qualitative work of this research.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 8/59 - had more operational staff (such as thos…

had more operational staff (such as those involved in more coordination and front-line delivery, including operation managers at community organisations and coordination of mutual aid groups). This was because we were interested in comparing and contrasting operational responses as part of this research, through facilitated conversations between local areas. We had two individuals from the interviews go on to attend the workshops, to draw out extra details of their local response and to stimulate conversation with other attendees. For further details, please see the sample tables in Appendix A.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 9/59 - compare or rate methodological approache…

compare or rate methodological approaches, risk of bias, or study design which could influence the quality of the scoping review and its comparability to other pieces of research. Possible missing perspectives A second limitation was the sample size of the qualitative interview and workshop cohort. This research was able to capture a range of different experiences around processes of volunteer mobilisation, however there may be other types of experiences that were not captured as part of this research, for example, the experience of the volunteers themselves who were involved in the volunteer response. Furthermore, the individuals who we engaged in this research were often from local areas that had a successful volunteer response, as compared to those areas with a less strong volunteer presence. This factor influenced the sample size and the perspectives that have been captured as part of this research as a result. Limited quantitative data on mutual aid groups The final limitation relates to the quantitative analysis where our analysis is dependent on the selfidentification and reporting of mutual aid groups in the datasets used. As detailed in the research above, there are questions about the definitions of this form of volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic, and data on the nature of mutual aid groups in different local areas is limited. For example, the data source used for this work (Covid-19 mutual aid) does not provide information about the relative size and scope of the mutual aid groups, just how many have registered. As such, the mutual aid group analysis should be treated with caution and considered as indicative.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 10/59 - 2. Establishing and adapting the volunte…

2. Establishing and adapting the volunteer

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 11/59 - Participants described how the capacity …

Participants described how the capacity for longer-term forward planning was very limited in the early stages of volunteer responses, noting the inevitability of rapid changes and developments as they received more information about the pandemic. This resulted in organisations having difficulties strategising and planning ahead, not having the right systems and ways of operating in place to address the situation, and having to respond to an unprecedented circumstance by developing new solutions. For example, a representative from a local council in London explains how this rapidly unfolding situation made it difficult to strategise, expressing, "Of course, there was a lot of stuff that was very last-minute and couldnt be planned ahead". That led to an immediate focus on the most vulnerable, on those most in need of rapid support. However, as the pandemic progressed and organisations were able to adapt, participants in this research noted that they were able to offer their services to more people. From this, structures of support began to develop and ways of operating were put in place. A representative from a housing association in London explained this process:

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 12/59 - 2.2 Adapting and changing approaches whe…

2.2 Adapting and changing approaches where needed

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 13/59 - With the lifting of the restrictions in …

With the lifting of the restrictions in June/July 2020 and the subsequent return to work, research participants reported a decrease in the numbers of volunteers. Reflecting on issues of volunteer capacity, one participant described:

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 14/59 - volunteering energy when your own life h…

volunteering energy when your own life has certainly become so difficult (Community Organisation, South West). While this work did not involve research with volunteers directly, this theme that emerged from those involved in the volunteer response suggests that additional research is needed to fully understand the impact that volunteer fatigue has on efforts of volunteer mobilisation.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 15/59 - 3. Complexities of `volunteering

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 16/59 - coefficient is 0.51 at the national leve…

coefficient is 0.51 at the national level.11 The effect is particularly notable in London, the North East, South East and West Midlands, with correlation coefficients between 0.57 and 0.85 (see Appendix A, Table 6). There also appears to be a relationship between the recorded number of mutual aid groups in an area and the number of community assets. The correlation coefficient is 0.45 at the national level. The effect is particularly notable in the North East, South West and West Midlands, with correlation coefficients between 0.58 and 0.91 (see Appendix A, Table 7).

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 17/59 - contexts can influence how people engage…

contexts can influence how people engage with different structures of volunteering. It could have implications for how and who local actors engage with, for instance faith leaders.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 18/59 - We have always had volunteers working fo…

We have always had volunteers working for the council. We have those formalised volunteer policies and application rules, and those are really important and will continue to happen. But I think the pandemic really brought to light...those more casual, local, self-managed volunteering things. Actually, its really hard to measure how important those were because we dont hear from those people because theyre being looked after...[Y]ou cant put a number on how many people are supported by their neighbours really, but I think its a big one. (Local Authority, South West).

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 19/59 - ...if were thinking long term about that…

...if were thinking long term about that social fabric in communities, even the frame around volunteering can feel dated sometimes [and] quite paternalistic ... That might not be helpful in the long term for what were trying to do around stronger communities where its much more mutual, reciprocal, long term, active, collective, together ... Volunteering can still be quite transactional or professional.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 20/59 - My reflection...is that when we come out…

My reflection...is that when we come out of COVID, the support thats out there and the way people have discovered to get involved, isnt necessarily [about] being involved in groups, but being involved in a movement. (Community Organisation, South West)

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 21/59 - generalised overviews in which core dist…

generalised overviews in which core distinctive strands of activity, structure and relationships are apparent. Burchell et. al (2020) describe the three models as follows: Model 1: Response cells using a VCS local infrastructure organisation as the primary coordinator/broker

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 22/59 - Model 3: Multi-agency response cells wor…

Model 3: Multi-agency response cells working directly with community networks and new informal networks

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 23/59 - 4. The role of social capital and suppor…

4. The role of social capital and supporting

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 24/59 - (Pitas 2020; Makridis and Wu 2021; Wu 20…

(Pitas 2020; Makridis and Wu 2021; Wu 2020; Bartscher et al 2020; Lau 2020). For example, Makridis and Wu (2021) explain that:

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 25/59 - Each of these examples illustrates how a…

Each of these examples illustrates how a strong level of bonding capital allows for local groups to mobilise more rapidly. By building on existing trusted relationships and tapping into known networks, organisations are able to respond to the needs of their communities in more effective ways.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 26/59 - 4.3 Linking capital: cross-sector collab…

4.3 Linking capital: cross-sector collaboration and communication

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 27/59 - The strengthening of linking capital in …

The strengthening of linking capital in these examples appears to have positively influenced efforts of the volunteer response by enabling greater cross-sector collaboration, allowing for more support to be provided to the area at multiple levels.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 28/59 - One of the effects of [the COVID-19 resp…

One of the effects of [the COVID-19 response] has been to really strengthen the relationships between not just us and those organisations but all of the partners in that space. (Community Organisation, Greater London). Therefore, investing in strengthening a local areas social capital could support efforts of volunteer mobilisation, as well as preparedness for future moments of crises.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 29/59 - 5. Facing the future: factors and princi…

5. Facing the future: factors and principles

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 30/59 - Previous cross-sector collaborations in…

Previous cross-sector collaborations including the engagement and previous working relationships with the local authority

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 31/59 - Participants in this research provided e…

Participants in this research provided examples of digital tools being used to coordinate responses that spanned wide geographic areas, support the recruitment of volunteers, and assign tasks that needed completion. For example, one participant explained how digital working helped bring together people of diverse backgrounds:

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 32/59 - Positive relationships with funders were…

Positive relationships with funders were deemed particularly important here with a trusting dynamic enabling quick decisions to be made, redirecting funding to newly needed services. Another community organisation highlighted the importance of this relationship with their local council, noting:

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 33/59 - adaptability involved the redeployment o…

adaptability involved the redeployment of staff, collaboration with partners, moving service provision into the community, and tailoring to the changing local context. Having a flexible approach to working, where organisations can quickly adapt and respond to challenges, embrace collaborative working and streamline decision making is central to the overall responsiveness and effectiveness of a volunteer response. In planning for the future, building in the capacity for this flexibility is likely to be important, both in terms of developing operational structures and to building the necessary skills and mindsets of individuals involved to navigate complexity.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 34/59 - (between different local areas; within l…

(between different local areas; within local areas; and for individual organisations looking to better understand their role within their own local ecosystem) during a time of transition from immediate response measures to emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic, from crisis response to more typical local volunteering. The research team believes consideration of how this might be facilitated in a timely and effective way that works for the needs of local communities could have significant value.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 35/59 - Bibliography

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 36/59 - Cairns, B., Dyson, E., Firth, L., & Roon…

Cairns, B., Dyson, E., Firth, L., & Rooney, K. (2021). Chasing against time: Briefing 14 on the challenges faced by VCSE leaders during the Covid-19 crisis. https://www.ivar.org.uk/briefingpaper/chasing-against-time/

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 37/59 - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics…

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-life-survey-202021

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 38/59 - Hutchins, N. K. (2021). Why Flexible Fun…

Hutchins, N. K. (2021). Why Flexible Funding Needs to be Philanthropys New Normal. The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 39/59 - ssl.webflow.com/5f5bdc0f30fe4b120448a029…

ssl.webflow.com/5f5bdc0f30fe4b120448a029/5f973b076be4cadc5045fad3_An Avoidable Crisis.pdf

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 40/59 - Morgan, C., & Kaye, S. (2021). SHIFTING …

Morgan, C., & Kaye, S. (2021). SHIFTING THE BALANCE Local adaptation, innovation and collaboration during the pandemic and beyond. https://www.newlocal.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2021/01/Shifting-the-Balance.pdf

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 41/59 - Pronyk, J. (2020). Building back better:…

Pronyk, J. (2020). Building back better: why volunteering matters for the post-COVID world.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 42/59 - Stone, W. and J. H. (2002). Social Capit…

Stone, W. and J. H. (2002). Social Capital: Empirical Meaning and Measurement Validity. Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 43/59 - Watts, G. (2020). COVID-19 and the digit…

Watts, G. (2020). COVID-19 and the digital divide in the UK. The Lancet Digital Health, 2(8), e395� e396. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(20)30169-2

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 44/59 - Appendix A: Methodology and limitations

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 45/59 - approaches, risk of bias, or study desig…

approaches, risk of bias, or study design which could influence the quality of the work and its comparability to other pieces of research.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 46/59 - Interviews

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 47/59 - The interview process

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 48/59 - interviews go on to attend the workshops…

interviews go on to attend the workshops, to draw out extra details of their local response and to stimulate conversation with other attendees.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 49/59 - Analysis included data for Wales and Sco…

Analysis included data for Wales and Scotland wherever possible to maximise robustness through larger sample sizes. However, only results for England are included in the main body of the report.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 50/59 - The results of these exploratory data an…

The results of these exploratory data analyses cannot be used to `prove or `disprove the corresponding hypotheses. Any correlations found would need to be explored and further research would be needed first.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 51/59 - Table 4: Correlation between the number …

Table 4: Correlation between the number of registered mutual aid groups and personal wellbeing mean scores, all UK regions

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 52/59 - Table 5: Correlation between the number …

Table 5: Correlation between the number of registered mutual aid groups and gross domestic product per capita, all UK regions

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 53/59 - Table 6: Correlation between the number …

Table 6: Correlation between the number of registered mutual aid groups and total COVID-19 grants awarded, all UK regions

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 54/59 - Table 7: Correlation between the number …

Table 7: Correlation between the number of registered mutual aid groups and number of community assets, English regions only Note: Rows marked in bold indicate the three regions with the highest correlation coefficients. They

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 55/59 - Table 8: Linear regression model, based …

Table 8: Linear regression model, based on the number of community assets and the total amount of COVID-19 grant awarded (and controlling for regional location), English regions only.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 56/59 - New and emerging subject First, the conv…

New and emerging subject First, the conversation and situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing, and new research and insights are being published frequently. As a result, there may be new insights about volunteer mobilisation that emerge or long-term implications of volunteer response that are not yet clear and have not been captured in this report. With this in mind, we are aware that this report may be missing some key information that has not yet been published, or that has not been publicly shared. While we were able to summarise and synthesise available research for the scoping review, due to time constraints and the limited evidence base we were not able to widely compare or rate methodological approaches, risk of bias, or study design which could influence the quality of the scoping review and its comparability to other pieces of research. Possible missing perspectives A second limitation was the sample size of the qualitative interview and workshop cohort. This research was able to capture a range of different experiences around processes of volunteer mobilisation, however there may be other types of experiences that were not captured as part of this research, for example, the experience of the volunteers themselves who were involved in the volunteer response. Furthermore, the individuals who we engaged in this research were often part of local areas who had a successful volunteer response as compared to those areas with a less strong volunteer presence. This factor influenced the sample size and the perspectives that have been captured as part of this research as a result. Limited quantitative data on mutual aid groups The final limitation relates to the quantitative analysis where our analysis is dependent on the selfidentification and reporting of mutual aid groups in the datasets used. As detailed in the research above, there are questions about the definitions of this form of volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic, and data on the nature of mutual aids groups in different local areas is limited. For example, the data source used for this work (Covid-19 Mutual Aid) does not provide information about the relative size and scope of the mutual aid groups, just how many have registered. As such, the mutual aid group analysis should be treated with caution, and considered as indicative.

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 57/59 - Appendix B: Interview guides

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 58/59 - How would you describe the structure of …

How would you describe the structure of your local councils volunteer and community response?

Understanding_local_patterns_of_volunteer_activity_during_COVID-19.pdf - page 59/59 - Interview guide: Combined authority (CA)