Volunteer Hours Rise in UK Health Care Safeguards Needed

Volunteers across multiple English counties are contributing thousands of hours to support health and care services, with new figures showing significant increases in participation as the sector's reliance on unpaid help grows. The data, highlighted ahead of Volunteers Week from June 1 to 7, underscores both the vital role volunteers play and the emerging need for stronger safeguards.

In the last quarter of 2025, hundreds of people gave their time to NHS community and care services. In Nottinghamshire, 142 volunteers contributed 903 hours, a 51 percent increase in volunteer numbers compared to the same period in 2024. Lincolnshire saw 210 volunteers give 3,042 hours, a 29 percent rise in hours contributed. Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust recorded 259 volunteers providing 11,583 hours, a 22 percent increase in hours. Yorkshire reported the most dramatic growth, with 764 volunteers contributing 4,779 hours, marking a 119 percent surge in volunteer numbers.

Nationally, research indicates that 6 percent of UK adults currently volunteer in a care home. Regional surveys also show consistent formal volunteering rates, with 15 percent of people in Nottinghamshire, 17...