Young people and volunteering

A new review by the Institute of Volunteering Research (IVR) has brought together existing evidence on the outcomes of youth volunteering, social action and leadership and on the metrics which can be used to measure them.

The research, which can be downloaded at has been produced to inform IVR’s evaluation of the Asda Active Sports Leaders programme, and its wider rollout.

The project is funded by the Spirit of 2012 and Asda, and aims to increase the numbers of teenagers getting involved as sports leaders and in volunteering to help build confidence, skills and interest in social action.

For further information on the project visit www.ivr.org.uk/ivr-projects/ivr-current-projects/evaluation-of-the-asda-active-sports-leaders-project. To download the review visit www.ivr.org.uk/images/stories/Institute-of-Volunteering-Research/Projects/sports-leaders-literature-review-dec-2014.pdf.

Volunteering can be especially helpful for young adults with offending histories. Yet sometimes there are barriers, actual or perceived, to them volunteering. The Institute for Criminal Policy Research and the IVR have released a series of briefing papers to bust myths and help address some of these barriers.

Three separate briefings have been produced, aimed at volunteer-involving organisations, resettlement organisations, which assist offenders and ex-offenders in the community), and young adults themselves.

To download the briefings visit www.ivr.org.uk/ivr-projects/ivr-current-projects/ex-offenders-and-volunteering.