During 2018, Volition Community accepted 127 volunteers onto the programme. This equates to a slight increase on 2017 with 113 being accepted onto the programme. As a result, our findings are as follows:

• We have a slightly improved gender balance from last year – male 61% and female 39%
• A noticeable increase in the over 50 age group, 67 of the volunteers, although this is better so far into 2019
• A big increase in the number of people unemployed over 5 years, to 71 of the volunteers. This equates to 56% of the total.
• 43% reporting some level of mental health issue
• 12% reporting dyslexia
• 10% reporting Asperger’s or autism
• 22% reporting / displaying severe social anxiety
• 18% reporting a physical disability (including mobility, sight and hearing problems)
• 14% disclosing drug or alcohol dependency (present or abstinent)
• A rise in the number living in a workless household to 82% (mainly people living alone)
• 19% reporting a learning difficulty. These are mainly self-diagnosed and not medical.
• Literacy / Numeracy levels remain similar with approximately 30% working at below that expected of a year 6 pupil. Although there are recent improvements noted in levels.
• Ethnic mix remains mainly white British but approx. 40% other nationalities.
• Progression is fairly positive based on the above stats. Approximately 40% have moved into p/t or f/t work, although some of this is transient. 17% remain volunteering either with Volition or other agencies.

Gender Mix

Age Range

Length of Unemployment

Reporting Mental Health

Dyslexia

Asperger’s / Autism

Severe Social Anxiety

Physical Disability

Drug or Alcohol Dependency

Work-less Households

Learning Difficulty

Literacy Levels

Ethnicity

Progression