New Report Warns Norfolk Would “Grind to a Halt” if Volunteers Disappeared
A major national report has laid bare the devastating impact on society if volunteers were to stop tomorrow – and Voluntary Norfolk has warned the consequences for our county would be “almost unrecognisable”.
The report, What if Everyone Stopped Volunteering? (Works4U), brought together expert voices from across the UK to explore how vital volunteering is to everyday life [1]. It concluded that volunteering is not a “nice to have,” but a core part of Britain’s social and economic fabric.
Without it, health, justice, education, culture, sport, and community life would be plunged into crisis.
Nationally, the report estimates the loss of volunteering would strip between £25 billion and £400 billion of economic and social value from the UK every year. But the human costs – rising loneliness, worsening health, fewer opportunities for young people, and collapsing community support – would be even more severe.
Norfolk’s stark warning
Nicky Stainton, Head of VCSE Sector Support at Voluntary Norfolk, was one of the contributors to the report. She offers a stark warning about what a volunteer-free Norfolk would look like. Nicky said:
“Everyday life without volunteering would be almost unrecognisable. Without ushers and ‘friends groups’, many arts and cultural organisations would close down.
“Without coaches and referees, most sporting activities would cease. Hospitals would become soulless places without volunteer drivers, greeters and visitors.
“The justice system would collapse without magistrates, and schools would lose the character and oversight provided by governors, PTAs and reading schemes.
“Thousands of charities, social enterprises and grassroots groups across Norfolk would have to pack up. The elderly, unwell and vulnerable would be left isolated and afraid.”
Meeting growing demand
The report estimated the value of volunteering in Norfolk at over £100 million per year, highlighting just how much unpaid time and expertise local people give to support their communities. Voluntary Norfolk plays a central role in sustaining this ecosystem, through its Get InVOLved Norfolk platform. Since its launch three years ago, over 11,000 people have registered to volunteer, with registrations rising by 79% in the past 12 months alone. Applications for volunteering opportunities have almost doubled in the same period.
But Nicky Stainton warns that demand continues to grow:
“As rising costs hit families and frontline services, the role of volunteers is more critical than ever. Norfolk’s VCSE sector faces unprecedented challenges, and without continued support to encourage and enable volunteering, vital services will be at risk.”
Volunteering is essential
The report concluded that if everyone stopped volunteering, the UK would quickly “descend into a dystopian state” – with weakened democracy, collapsed services, and a society more unequal and divided.
Voluntary Norfolk is calling for greater recognition and investment in volunteering, to ensure Norfolk’s communities remain resilient, compassionate and connected.
“Volunteering is the glue that holds our county together,” said Nicky Stainton. “Norfolk cannot afford to take it for granted.”
