Social action and volunteering

We work within communities in London and with government and funders that invest in communities nationally, so we understand the context volunteering takes place in, and the value it can create, not just for the beneficiaries but also for the volunteer and the wider community. We’ve helped charities and corporates to create or develop their volunteering offers. We advise funders on thinking strategically about volunteering and social action in different sectors and communities, and we support government learning through the Place Based Social Action (PBSA) Programme and the Lottery and DCMS-funded #iwill youth social action fund. We’ve also evaluated a range of approaches to enabling participation that may not be considered ‘volunteering’ such as citizen assemblies. Questions we’re interested in exploring: How can social action be used to help more people feel a part of  their community? What will the next phases of youth social action look like for young people’s employment prospects, wellbeing and connection to their communities?