Communication, skills and training have emerged as the lowest ranked areas of volunteer support in a survey of more than 46,000 people who give up their time to help charities.

The lowest scoring category was skills and experience on offer, with researchers saying that volunteers “want more opportunities to develop skills, gain confidence and understand how their contributions fit into wider organisational goals”.

This was backed by fewer than three in four volunteers, who were surveyed by charity group Shaping the Future with Volunteering. Among some charities fewer than three in five backed their charity’s skills and experience offer.

Those at 11 charities, the British Red Cross, Dogs Trust, Girlguiding, Guide Dogs, National Trust, NSPCC, RNIB, RNLI, Royal Voluntary Service, RSPB and Scouts, were involved in the survey.

Researchers found that responses around training quality “varies significantly”. While fewer than two in three score this favourably at some charities, more than nine in ten backed it at others.

“Some volunteers feel well prepared, while others report limited or inconsistent training,” they found.

Communication problems also hamper some volunteers' experience, backed by fewer than two in three volunteers at some charities and by almost all at others.

Researchers warn that “volunteers in some organisations report gaps in clarity, updates, and feedback”.

Despite the concerns raised the findings showed “strong volunteer satisfaction”, particularly around comfort, flexibility and well-being.

Almost nine in ten said they “feel comfortable being myself whilst volunteering, more than four in five said volunteering “improves my wellbeing” and a similar proportion praised the flexibility of their role.

“People are telling us that volunteering improves their wellbeing, helps them build new skills and makes them feel included, valued and supported,” said Royal Voluntary Service executive director of research and insight Dr Allison Smith.

“Our challenge now is to build on that positive experience and make volunteering easier to access for people of all ages and backgrounds, so that more people can take part and more communities can benefit.”

Girlguiding chief executive Felicity Oswald added: “We're encouraged to see so many volunteers benefitting from the flexibility, support and sense of community that volunteering gives.

“With so many demands on people's time, it's important that we continue to make volunteering accessible, rewarding and able to fit around people's lives, so even more people can experience the benefits it brings."

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