Join In Reveals Latest Volunteer Research

London 2012 legacy charity, Join In, has released new research into the hidden value of sport volunteers – through participation, wellbeing, trust and community.

Replacing traditional valuation methods which use the cost-replacement model, Join In – who were also named the Community Programme of the Year at the BT Sport Industry Awards – investigated the ‘true value’ of sports volunteering to personal wellbeing and happiness of the volunteers themselves, plus the wider benefit to their communities.  

Starting with the hypothesis that volunteers shouldn’t be seen as cost-savings but as investors – people who invest their time, skills and energy both for their own benefit and for that of the wider community.

One volunteer creates the capacity for at least 8.5 more people to play, and the findings also showed that – compared to people who don’t – a volunteer in sport is significantly more likely to feel good about their community. Specifically, they feel:

• being part of their community is important
• they have influence over what their community is like
• their needs are met by their community, and
• they put a lot of time and effort into being part of their community

Join In used valuation techniques in the economics of wellbeing to suggest that one volunteer in sport can create wellbeing worth £16,032, for themselves and for those they help play sport.

Rebecca Birkbeck, CEO of Join In, said: ‘Since our set up in the wake of London 2012, Join In has always celebrated the huge contribution made by sports volunteers across the country. Through this research we are able to put a true figure on the value of this investment, which is far larger than any of us had expected’

‘At Join In people share their volunteering stories with us every day. Through this research we have been able to quantify the size of the investment sports volunteers are making in themselves and others.’

‘Sports volunteers are 4 times more likely to trust others in their community. It’s easy to see why Join In’s research demonstrates the importance of investing in these hidden diamonds.’

Jo Pavey, European 10,000m Champion, added: ‘Volunteers have played a huge part in my athletics career. From grass roots level through to elite competition, it wouldn’t have been possible without help from volunteers. I’m excited to see that Join In has recognised the time and commitment that volunteers invest in sport and their communities.’