NCVO have launched their publication Getting Involved: How people make a difference, part of their Almanac series of publications that aim to improve understanding of civil society and inform current debates.
Drawing on data from a wide range of sources and full of the latest statistics, this new publication looks at who gets involved, how and where people get involved, and whether participation has changed over time. This report should be useful for many voluntary groups seeking to understand the current landscape.
In summary there is no overall decline in involvement, but trends differ slightly according to activity. While levels of volunteering and charitable giving have remained relatively stable, many types of organisations have seen a fall in their memberships, including trade unions and religious organisations. One area that has grown significantly over the past years is ethical consumerism which is based more on individual actions and perhaps more embedded in people’s everyday lives or driven by lifestyle choices.
