What we heard during co-design

This Action Plan has been shaped through a co-design journey with people from right across community sport and the wider volunteering system.

We heard that volunteering is becoming more complex and demanding. Increasingly, volunteers are taking on responsibilities that extend beyond traditional expectations, from governance, compliance and safety to coordinating people and managing technology. At the same time, many face criticism, conflict and poor behaviour while doing their best to support their club or organisation. Together, these growing practical and emotional demands can make volunteering harder to sustain.

We heard that many clubs rely on a small number of volunteers to carry a large share of the workload. While these individuals are invaluable, concentrated knowledge and responsibility can make clubs vulnerable when people move on. Supporting recruitment, retention, succession and knowledge sharing can help create more sustainable and resilient volunteer teams.

We heard that traditional volunteer roles do not always fit modern lifestyles. People are balancing work, study, caring responsibilities, health and other commitments, making it harder to take on long-term or time-intensive roles. Volunteers told us they need more flexible ways to contribute, including one-off, online and short-term opportunities. Young people also highlighted the importance of training, mentoring and support to help them build confidence and begin volunteering in a positive, low-pressure environment.

We heard that volunteering is too often framed around shortages and what clubs lack, rather than the value it creates. While volunteer challenges are real, volunteering also builds skills, confidence and connections. It helps young people gain experience, supports wellbeing and belonging, and strengthens communities. Making these benefits more visible can help ensure volunteering is recognised as a meaningful, valued and rewarding contribution.

We heard that clubs need support that is practical, trusted and easy to access. While many resources already exist, volunteers and clubs can find them difficult to navigate or apply in their day-to-day environment. Rather than more information, people told us they need guidance that is relevant, easy to act on and delivered through the organisations and networks they already trust, including councils, sporting bodies, leagues, associations and other clubs.

We heard that volunteers and clubs are often affected by decisions made across the wider sport system. Policies, compliance requirements, safeguarding expectations, technology, funding and facility arrangements all influence what happens at club level. While these settings are important, their combined impact can create additional demands for volunteers. This highlights the need for a coordinated, whole-of-system approach that supports clubs and volunteers, rather than expecting them to take on more on their own.

We heard that creating truly inclusive volunteer opportunities requires more than simply saying everyone is welcome. Many people face barriers to volunteering, including time, cost, transport, confidence and previous experiences of exclusion. Volunteers and clubs told us they need practical support to create welcoming environments, accessible roles and positive first experiences for people from all backgrounds. Inclusion must be supported by the wider sport system, not added to the workload of volunteers who are already stretched.