Do you manage, or know someone who runs, a charity, sports club, or community group in North Herts or Stevenage that needs additional volunteers? There are many in need.

Volunteers are the backbone of the charity sector, contributing tens of billions of pounds annually to the UK economy. But what would happen if that contribution suddenly disappeared? The charity sector - and much of society as we know it -would crumble. At North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Service (NH&SCVS), we fully recognise the vital role volunteers play, and we salute the ordinary people doing extraordinary things to support our community every day.

Volunteering isn't just about numbers and economic value. It's the glue that holds our society together, offering people a sense of purpose and belonging. Volunteering fosters connection, creating what policymakers call ‘social capital’- a crucial component of a healthy, thriving society.

This is why it's alarming to see a recent decline in both formal and informal volunteering. Formal volunteering refers to activities organised through a charity, club, or association, while informal volunteering involves helping others on a personal level without the involvement of an organisation. Despite the surge in both forms of volunteering during the pandemic, these trends are now in decline.

But why is this happening? Fresh research from the Nottingham Trent University sheds some light. Based on data from 2023 and 2024, the survey reveals that nearly 40% of organisations struggle to recruit enough volunteers to meet their goals - a challenge we’re also facing locally.

To address this, NH&SCVS is hosting a free ‘Volunteering Summit’ on Thursday, 26th September, at Stevenage Football Club. Key speakers, including Chris Reed, MSc, Chief Operational Resilience Officer at The Scouts, who will tackle pressing questions: What do volunteers actually want? Are charities offering the right opportunities? And how can we reverse the decline?

If your charity, sports club, or community group is struggling to recruit volunteers, this event is not to be missed. Hannah Morgan-Gray, CEO of NH&SCVS, says, “This is a solution-focussed event where you’ll hear about innovative recruitment strategies, retention insights, and ways to overcome today’s challenges. The CVS team will do their best to ensure everyone will leave with fresh ideas.” She continues, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the sector. Without them, many groups are simply unsustainable.”

If you would like to find out about volunteering opportunities in the area, visit www.govolherts.org.uk the home of volunteering in Hertfordshire. For more information on the Volunteering Summit, go to https://bit.ly/3XUrT1d email info@nhcvs.org.uk or call the NH&SCVS team on 01462 689400