This report explores differences by gender, ethnicity, disability status, region, Index of Multiple Deprivation and age for key measures in collected in the 2016-17 Community Life Survey. The survey is a key evidence source on social cohesion, community engagement and social action. Chapter 3 which deals with volunteering found that:
Those aged 25-34 were least likely to volunteer formally, with only 15% volunteering at least once a month, compared with 32% of 65-74 year olds. This may be linked to greater work and childcare commitments among this age group.
On ‘Influence over decisions affecting the local area’, people from Black, Asian and Mixed ethnic groups were more likely to agree that they can influence local decisions than White people. Black people were most likely to agree, with 44% saying they agreed compared with 25% of White people.
Asian people and people from a Mixed ethnic group were less likely to regularly volunteer than White people. Black people were also more likely to volunteer regularly than Asian people. A quarter (25%) of Black people and 23% of White people said they regularly volunteered compared with 17% of Asian and 16% of people with Mixed ethnicity. It should be noted that rates of informal volunteering, such as helping friends and neighbours, do not differ significantly between ethnic groups (see section 3.2).
White people (42%) were more likely to say they have been involved in civic participation than Asian (34%), Black (34%) or Mixed ethnic groups (33%).
Civic participation increases as deprivation decreases, ranging from 34% in the most deprived quintile to 48% in the least deprived quintile.