Conclusions

Abstract

This chapter reflects on the main findings of this book, and place these in a broader context by reflecting on their practical implications and relevance. A key issue is what the evidence tells us about whether voluntary action constitutes a genuinely renewable resource for social development, in a context of rising demand for it. The findings point to both challenges and opportunities. There is a strong and stable base of committed volunteers, and a majority of the adult population already engages to a significant degree (taking a broad definition of voluntary action, to include both formal and informal activities). An expansion of voluntary action is, however, challenging in the context of difficult economic circumstances faced by individuals, the growing need for care of elderly relatives as a result of pressures on the welfare system, and the reductions in public funding. Volunteers are not going to come forward simply in response to austerity measures. Persuading people to engage at all, or to a greater degree, requires a clear message about the intrinsic rewards of voluntary action and arrangements which enable people to fit voluntary action around their everyday lives. Essentially, this is about thinking about policy in a wider frame of reference than incentives and nudges towards pro-social behaviour. Instead, we might ask how economic policy and society might be managed to maximise opportunities for engagement.