Charities are forecasting a shortfall of about three million volunteers over the next year, which could affect hospices, conservation work, animal welfare and local community support. A Nottingham Trent University study for the Royal Voluntary Service found that more than two in five charities report rising requests for help, while around one in four say they cannot meet demand.

The Royal Voluntary Service has launched a digital volunteering platform, GoVo, and is urging people to volunteer for causes they care about. It is working with a coalition of well-known charities including Guide Dogs, Bookmark Reading Charity, Missing People, Oxfam, RNIB, Rotary Great Britain & Ireland, RSPCA, Stroke Association and The Conservation Volunteers.

Emily Jack, chief executive of Bookmark Reading Charity, stressed that the One-To-One Reading Programme depends on volunteers and that many more children need reading support than there are volunteers available. She said the charity currently needs almost 25% more volunteers to ensure every pupil in partner schools receives the help they need to thrive. Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of the Royal Voluntary Service, said Britain’s charities are facing an unprecedented volunteer shortfall and that essential services risk falling short of rising needs. She added that GoVo will help people find flexible opportunities locally or remotely, and urged people to step forward and show what can be achieved when charities and communities work together.