Though lack of resources is a major issue, over a quarter of volunteer managers would not want more volunteers even if they were provided with additional funds, according to a new report.

Produced by the Institute for Volunteering Research, Management matters: a national survey of volunteer management capacity, canvassed the views of volunteer managers across England. It found that over a quarter of the organisations surveyed did not have appropriate funding to support volunteering, with over 50% saying they could involve less than 10 volunteers on their current resources. In addition, nearly half of the managers surveyed earned only between £15,000 to £25,000 per year, despite over a third having more than 10 years’ experience in the job.

The survey also identified recruitment and retention of volunteers as a concern, with over half those questioned believing this would hold back their organisation over the next three years. Large organisations including NHS trusts, the study found, were most likely to have budgets for volunteer involvement and dedicated staff time to support volunteers.

Commenting on the study, Volunteering England’s chief executive Justin Davis Smith said: “The results of this groundbreaking survey highlight the scandalously low level of funding devoted to supporting the volunteers without whom many of the country’s charities and services would simply not survive. Volunteering may be freely given but it is certainly not cost-free, and organisations need to invest financial and human resources properly in order to unleash the passion, goodwill and experience of those that manage volunteers and the volunteers themselves.”