Latest news with #ScottishHouseholdSurvey
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Survey shows 18% volunteer rate across Scotland amid changing trends
As Volunteers' Week approaches (2nd to 8th June), Ansvar Insurance is calling attention to the changing face of volunteering and what it means for charities and not-for-profit organisations. With digital opportunities rising and the volunteer demographic shifting, understanding these trends is key to supporting and protecting the vital work of volunteers across Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... According to the latest Scottish Household Survey (released in November 2024), 18% of respondents stated they had taken part in formal volunteering at least once in 2023. The traditional image of volunteering is being redefined. More opportunities are emerging that allow individuals to contribute remotely, utilising digital platforms to support causes they care about. This shift demands new skill sets from volunteers, with digital literacy becoming increasingly valued. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While the survey shows that a large proportion of volunteers nationally are aged 35 and over, nfp Research's Time for Good Volunteering Report (released in April 2025) highlights a rise in youth volunteering across the UK, with participation among 16 to 24-year-olds rising from 21% in 2012 to 34% in 2024. Survey shows 18% volunteer rate across Scotland amid changing trends Sarah Cox, Managing Director of Ansvar, an expert insurer in the charity and not-for-profit sectors, commented: 'Volunteering today is no longer just about shaking a bucket or manning a stall, and this presents both opportunities and challenges for charities. There is an increase in digital and flexible volunteering roles, which opens up opportunities for more people – but it also creates new considerations for managing volunteers safely and effectively.' An increase in remote volunteering opportunities does mean charities need to review their existing risk management strategies. Issues such as data protection for volunteers handling sensitive information remotely, ensuring a safe working environment for home-based volunteers and the potential for cyber security breaches now need to be considered. Public liability factors may also evolve as volunteers engage in activities online or in different settings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Charities need to adapt their insurance policies to reflect these evolving volunteer roles,' added Sarah Cox. 'For instance, ensuring that employers' liability covers remote volunteers and that cyber liability is adequate in an increasingly digital environment is crucial. Clear guidelines and communication with volunteers about their roles and responsibilities are also vital for effective risk management.' Ansvar also encourages charities to reframe how they promote volunteering opportunities. From content creation and fundraising strategy to befriending services and logistics, today's roles are diverse, skills-based and accessible to all ages. Sarah Cox concluded:
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Stirling pensioner at front of swimming lessons drive - and says age no barrier
The 74-year-old says an early experience of almost drowning as a youngster shaped his attitude - and has spoken of the benefits of getting into the water. A 74-year-old who swims every week at Stirling University is backing a campaign telling people it's never too late to learn the skill. John Nicolson is a real advocate of learning to swim - but an early experience almost shaped his attitude for life. 'I nearly drowned when I was three years old in a pond and it put me off swimming for many years – my school experience was not great either. 'I came back to swimming later in life and now gain huge amounts from swimming every week. 'Once I came to the first class I found it really challenging. The whole coaching process was excellent and I began to realise I was doing things and it just clicked. It was an improving journey all the time and I've still got a lot to do, but the journey has been fantastic. 'Swimming enables me to be fitter, it enables me to have a sort of platform and that is my way of keeping fit, keeping healthy and being able to do all the things I couldn't do when I was arthritic. 'I think if anyone's got doubts about learning to swim because of age or capability or health, I think they've got to try it. 'They will find learning to swim will enable them to do other things as well that you want to do in life like getting about, and that I think is essential.' Scottish Swimming has seen a 152 per cent increase in adult swimming programmes as reported by National Learn to Swim Framework lesson providers across the country. On the back of the launch of #NeverTooLate last year – a campaign to get more adults learning to swim and taking up aquatic sports - lesson providers delivering the National Framework (a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water), have reported a substantial increase in adult involvement from 729 adults in 2024 to 1840 in 2025. Staggeringly one in three adults in the UK cannot swim the length of a pool yet 63 per cent of Scots say it is important to them to have access to a swimming pool, the sea or a loch on holiday. Learning to swim is an essential life skill and never more so than in the summer months. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming said: 'The recent good weather makes water all the more appealing for a swim or paddle and this is when people need to be fully aware of the dangers. 'Our drowning statistics in Scotland are more than double those of the UK and our unique geography with 11800 km of coastline and 30,000 inland waters means that danger is never far away. 'My hope is that the #NeverTooLate campaign continues to have an impact and persuades even more adults to learn this vital life skill. 'Swimming is a fantastic activity, when done safely, for family enjoyment, individual fitness and all round health. 'It's great to see John and others like him gaining so much enjoyment from swimming as well as the important health benefits.' According to the Scottish Household Survey in 2023, 13 per cent of adults swim regularly – the highest participation sport after going to the gym and weight training. For women participation rates are even higher - 14 per cent of women swim regularly – the same percentage who do keep fit and aerobics, and for adults with disabilities swimming is the highest participation sport.
