Voluntary Action Swindon has released the results of its 2024/25 Sector Survey.
The document highlights changing needs, growing demand and rising resilience.
VAS says the survey provides vital insights into the state of the local voluntary and community sector. Conducted every two years, the survey captures key data from organisations across Swindon and highlights the evolving challenges, strengths, and needs of the sector.
The organisation is a charity which supports other charities and coordinates voluntary activity in the local area.
This year’s survey results paint a picture of a sector becoming more people-facing, more aware of VAS support, and increasingly resilient in the face of rising community demand and financial pressures.
CEO Carol Willis said: “This latest Sector Survey highlights both encouraging progress and areas that still require attention. We’re seeing stronger engagement, greater trustee commitment, and improved financial resilience.
"However, rising demand, ongoing funding needs, and skills gaps in key areas like fundraising and wellbeing training show that our support is more crucial than ever.”
Key findings include:
- 46% of organisations now report a greater awareness of VAS services than two years ago.
- The majority of respondents rated VAS services as either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied', supported by positive testimonials and feedback.
- 64% of organisations reported increased service demand for support in 2024/25, compared to the previous year.
- The rise is largely attributed to growing poverty, higher demand among young people, with fewer alternative services.
- 72% of organisations now provide direct frontline support to individuals, highlighting the sector’s increasing engagement with vulnerable communities.
- 48% of organisations now report having between 1–10 volunteers, a 7% rise since 2022/23.
- The average trustee contributes 527 hours per year—up 30% from 406 hours two years ago.
- Organisations reporting enough volunteers to meet their needs rose from 41% to 60%.
- Notably, volunteer recruitment has become easier for many, with word of mouth (95%) and social media (68%) remaining the most effective recruitment channels.
- While concerns around social media and marketing skills have decreased, the need for support with writing funding bids has grown—from 31% to 41%.
- Mental Health First Aid has emerged as a growing area of interest, with 22% identifying it as a needed skill—up from just 13% in 2022/23.
- IT support remains a consistent challenge (28% in both years), suggesting persistent digital capability gaps.
- A greater proportion of organisations (41%) now fall within the £100k–£1m income bracket, compared to 32% two years ago.
- The number of organisations reporting decreased income has dropped from 37% to 25%.
- However, 49% of respondents reported having to apply for additional funding to stay financially viable—highlighting ongoing challenges in financial sustainability.
- 27 organisations expressed interest in further developing Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) practices with support from VAS, signalling a sector-wide commitment to creating inclusive services.
Voluntary Action Swindon says it remains committed to championing and supporting Swindon’s diverse community and voluntary organisations. The insights from this survey will guide future VAS services and advocacy efforts on behalf of the sector.
To view the full report, people can visit https://vas-swindon.org/sector-survey-2024-25/
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