As festive volunteering surges, Royal Voluntary Service urges carry the cheer into the new year
Ballroom Dancing Partner, Dog Walker and Horse Ranger are some of the roles to consider in the new year
- Two fifths (41%) plan to sign up to volunteer during the festive period *
- Royal Voluntary Service has highlighted some unexpected volunteering roles as charities report volunteer applications are likely to drop off by 44% in the new year, following festive spike **
With Christmas just around the corner, two in five (41%) Brits are embracing the spirit of giving by signing up to volunteer, responding to a greater need for support from charities.
However, charities are reporting that volunteer applications are likely to drop off by 44% in the new year following a festive spike **. Of the roles required in January, charities typically see on average only half (54%) being applied for after the festive period has ended. Royal Voluntary Service recently shared that charities are anticipating a shortfall of three million volunteers over the course of a year ***.
While Royal Voluntary Service is celebrating a festive surge in goodwill, it is urging volunteers to continue their efforts into the New Year to help fill this gap, highlighting unexpected roles on offer including Horse Ranger and Ballroom Dancing Partner.
Knitting baby clothes and becoming a Dog Walker are just some of the other fun and flexible roles that people are encouraged to apply for in the hopes that some of the nation's giving spirit can continue on from Christmas and into the New Year.
Research shows that while over a quarter (29%) of Brits are motivated to volunteer year-round, Christmas is the time that inspires the most generosity, with two-thirds (65%) saying the festive season encourages them to give back as it’s traditionally the season of giving. Yet, a third (33%) are unsure how to fit volunteering into their schedules after the holidays, even though it provides purpose (34%), fosters compassion (32%) and boosts happiness (27%).
Two in three (66%) Brits said the bleak weather and dark days are a reminder of the increased needs of others during the winter months, whilst over half (53%) said that the emphasis on togetherness reminds them of those who are on their own this time of year.
For some, festive volunteering has a ripple effect, as over half (52%) say it shapes their New Year resolutions around helping others, and 57% agree it inspires them to volunteer more regularly in the year ahead.
And no generation is embracing this shift more than Millennials, with three in four (73%) saying helping others at Christmas inspires them to volunteer more regularly, and 71% plan to volunteer more next year, around a sixth more than the population overall (56%).
To ensure support continues beyond Christmas, charity Royal Voluntary Service is urging volunteers to sign up via GoVo today - give now, help later - and pledge flexible time they can contribute in the New Year. Developed with support from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the digital volunteering platform connects volunteers with flexible local and remote opportunities, making it easier than ever to pledge time to support charities big and small.
"It’s fantastic to see so many people giving their time this Christmas, supporting their communities and those who need it most. But the spirit of giving is needed all year round, not just at Christmas. With flexible volunteering through GoVo, anyone can give back around work, family, or other commitments, making it easier than ever to make a real difference with just a little time. With a quarter (24%) of people feeling motivated and more connected to others through volunteering, we hope to show that volunteering can be bite-sized and still have a big impact."
Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service
To demonstrate the diversity and flexibility of opportunities available on GoVo in the New Year, Royal Voluntary Service has pulled together some of the most interesting, and unexpected volunteering roles people can sign up for:
- Sell clothes donations via Vinted to support animal welfare
- Lead an African Drumming Group for people in crisis
- Become a Weekend Horse ranger to help young people learn life skills
- Train prison mentors to aid numeracy and literacy in prisons
- Knit baby clothes for 0-5 year olds in need
- Plant new trees to address the environmental impact of the summer's heatwave
- Ballroom Dancing with people living with dementia
- Become a Special Olympics Football coach for Ascot United Warriors
- Walking Dogs for terminally ill people to help them stay with their beloved pets
- Offer exam support to those with visual impairments
Those still keen to embrace the festive spirit and volunteer this season can still get involved too.
"It's great to see such a wide range of roles on GoVo. We know that volunteering is a win-win for communities and for volunteers alike, so it's fantastic to hear that a high percentage of people are planning to give their time over the holiday period. We're delighted that our players are supporting GoVo, a platform that makes it easier for potential volunteers to find opportunities that fit with their lifestyles."
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery
Those inspired to get involved can explore the flexible volunteering opportunities available and see the difference they can make by visiting GoVo.org
People can also visit their local volunteering centres to discover opportunities in their area.
Notes to Editors:
*The survey of 2,000 British adults 18+ years old was conducted by 3Gem Research and Insights between 3-4 December 2025.
**Charity commission survey of 420 charities 10 December 2025.
***Research was conducted by Royal Voluntary Service with a sample of 922 registered charities across England, Scotland and Wales between 30 September to 6 October.
