A new report has found that volunteering can play a vital role in improving the working and living environment for care home staff and residents.
Reimagining social care – the role of active citizenship has been authored by Dr Julie MacInnes, senior research fellow at the University of Kent, and Dr Allison Smith, head of research & insight at volunteering charity Royal Voluntary Service, in partnership with Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people.
The report shows that well-designed volunteer roles can have significant benefits for residents, their family, and staff. Care home staff surveyed for the report felt that volunteers add ‘a lot of value’ for both residents (94 per cent) and staff (85 per cent). Half cited reducing pressure on colleagues as one of the top contributions of volunteers, with 49 per cent stating they freed up colleagues to spend time on care tasks.
Almost all staff currently working with volunteers stated they ‘enjoy working with volunteers’ and 90 per cent of staff not currently working with volunteers stated they would like to see more volunteers in care.
For residents, the evidence highlights the key benefits of utilising well-designed volunteer roles, as shown in improved mood, cognitive function, and perceived improvements in the quality of care and greater family satisfaction with care. The main benefits for staff include improved job satisfaction and reduced levels of work stress.
Further findings suggest that the increased participation of volunteers in social care could support a new care model that puts the wellbeing of residents and staff at the centre. The report provides recommendations to care homes for using volunteering to enhance quality of care, support unpaid carers/families, improve staff morale and retention, and create a pipeline for the future workforce.
According to the research, more than a third of adults would consider volunteering in a care home. Interest is higher amongst younger generations, with 52 per cent of 18-34 years old saying they would consider volunteering in the sector.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, Royal Voluntary Service CEO, said: “We owe those working in social care and those living in care more support. This report sets out the contribution of volunteering to social care, with a focus on care homes, and our recommendations for delivering on this. The pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis continue to disproportionately impact on this sector. We want to see the benefits that volunteering has afforded the NHS at this difficult time, in terms of extra staff and patient support, extended to social care. Volunteering in social care can drive a more enriching model of care putting the wellbeing of staff and residents at the centre.”
Anchor CEO Sarah Jones said: “Social care is highly skilled and specialised and can provide enormous job satisfaction for those working in the sector. In addition to the service our colleagues provide, volunteers in our care homes play an important role in helping older people live fulfilling lives. Crucially, for a sector facing workforce challenges, we have a number of colleagues who began their careers with us as volunteers. I very much hope this report helps encourage more volunteering in the care sector to enhance the lives of the people we serve.”
