Volunteer Wellbeing: How Charities Can Support Their Volunteers

Volunteers are at the heart of the charity sector. They staff helplines, run food banks, befriend isolated people, support hospices and keep countless local groups going. Many charities simply couldn’t operate without them.

But volunteering can be demanding, and volunteers need looking after too. This guide is for charity leaders, volunteer managers and coordinators. It covers what the research says, the pressures volunteers face and the practical steps you can take to protect their wellbeing and keep them coming back.

Volunteering in numbers

Volunteering has fallen since the pandemic and hasn’t yet recovered. The government’s Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 found that in England:

• 18% of adults volunteered formally at least once a month, down from 23% in 2019/20

• 31% had volunteered formally at least once in the past year, down from 37% before the pandemic

With fewer volunteers, more is being asked of those who remain. NCVO’s Time Well Spent research found that:

• 26% of volunteers felt their volunteering was becoming too much like paid work, up from 19% in 2018

• 24% felt their organisation had unreasonable expectations of how much they did, up from 17%

• Satisfaction among younger volunteers was lower, at 82% of 18 to 24-year-olds compared with 96% of those aged 55 and over

Looking after volunteers’ wellbeing isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s essential for keeping them.

The pressures volunteers face

Emotionally demanding roles

Many volunteers support people in crisis, whether on a helpline, at a food bank, in a hospice or as a befriender. Hearing difficult stories regularly can take an emotional toll.

Doing more with fewer people

When volunteer numbers fall, the same people are asked to cover more shifts and take on more responsibility. Over time, this can lead to exhaustion and burnout.

Unclear roles and boundaries

Without a clear role description, volunteers can end up taking on more than they signed up for or feel unsure what’s expected of them.

Juggling other commitments

Many volunteers balance their volunteering with paid work, caring responsibilities or study. Pressure to give more time can add to stress at home.

Feeling unappreciated

Volunteers give their time freely. If they don’t feel their contribution is valued, motivation can quickly drop.

Out-of-pocket costs

Travel, food and other costs can add up. NCVO found that 14% of people who don’t volunteer worried about out-of-pocket expenses.

Your duty of care to volunteers

Charities have a duty of care towards their volunteers. That means taking reasonable steps to keep them safe and well, including:

• Assessing the risks of volunteer roles, including emotional risks

• Giving volunteers the training and information they need

• Providing supervision and support, especially in demanding roles

• Having clear procedures for raising concerns and dealing with incidents

The exact legal position for volunteers can differ from that of employees, so check your policies with your legal adviser or umbrella body if you’re unsure.

Warning signs a volunteer may be struggling

Signs a volunteer may be struggling can include:

• Missing shifts or cancelling at short notice

• Seeming tired, withdrawn or less engaged

• Becoming irritable or short-tempered

• Talking about feeling overwhelmed or guilty about saying no

• Taking on too much and finding it hard to step back

• Quietly stepping away without explanation

If you notice these signs, a friendly, private conversation is a good first step. Ask how they’re doing and make it clear it’s fine to take a break.

Practical ways to support volunteer wellbeing

Be clear from the start

• Give every volunteer a clear role description, including time commitment

• Explain boundaries, such as what they should and shouldn’t take on

• Be honest about the emotional demands of the role

Provide good induction and training

• Cover the practical and emotional sides of the role

• Train volunteers in demanding roles to recognise their own limits

• Make sure they know who to contact if something goes wrong

Offer supervision and debriefs

• Hold regular check-ins, especially for volunteers in emotionally demanding roles

Debrief after difficult shifts or incidents

Create peer support opportunities, so volunteers can share experiences

Protect their time

• Avoid relying on the same volunteers for everything

• Respect the time they’ve offered, and don’t make them feel guilty for saying no

• Make it easy to take a break or step back without feeling they’ve let anyone down

Show appreciation

• Thank volunteers regularly, in person and in writing

• Share the difference their work makes

• Celebrate milestones and involve volunteers in decisions

Cover their costs

• Reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

• Make your expenses policy clear and easy to use

Supporting the staff who manage volunteers

Volunteer managers and coordinators often carry a heavy load. They recruit, train and support volunteers, cover gaps and deal with difficult situations, often with limited resources.

• Make sure volunteer managers have manageable workloads

• Give them supervision and support of their own

• Make sure they know how to access confidential help

How an EAP supports charities and volunteers

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) gives your staff confidential support whenever they need it, including those who manage and support volunteers. With Wisdom Wellbeing, your team can access:

• A 24/7 confidential helpline for emotional, practical and financial support

• Short-term structured counselling with qualified counsellors

• Critical incident support after distressing events

• Manager support and guidance on difficult conversations

The Wisdom app, with self-help tools and wellbeing content

Some charities choose to extend support to key volunteers, particularly those in emotionally demanding roles. Talk to us about the options for your organisation.

For more on supporting your people, read our guide to charity staff wellbeing, or find out more about our EAP and wellbeing support for charities and the third sector.

FAQs

Why is volunteer wellbeing important?

Volunteers give their time freely and often take on demanding roles. Looking after their wellbeing helps them stay safe and well, and makes them more likely to keep volunteering.

What causes volunteer burnout?

Common causes include emotionally demanding roles, being asked to do more as volunteer numbers fall, unclear boundaries, juggling other commitments and feeling unappreciated.

Do charities have a duty of care to volunteers?

Yes. Charities should take reasonable steps to keep volunteers safe and well, including assessing risks, providing training, offering supervision and having clear procedures for raising concerns.

How can charities support volunteers in emotionally demanding roles?

Be honest about the demands of the role, provide training and regular supervision, debrief after difficult shifts and make it easy for volunteers to take a break.

How can charities keep volunteers coming back?

Give clear roles, respect their time, cover their expenses, thank them regularly and show the difference their work makes.

Sources

GOV.UK, Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26: Volunteering and charitable giving report

NCVO, Key findings from Time Well Spent 2023