Volunteering and Health: What impact does it really have? Report to Volunteering England

Casiday, R.; Kinsman, E.; Fisher, C.; Bambra, C.

Abstract

A systematic review was undertaken to ascertain the health effects of volunteering on volunteers and health service users. 24,966 articles were identified from database searches, of which 87 papers were included. The review identified qualified evidence that volunteering can deliver health benefits both to volunteers and to health service users. Volunteering was shown to decrease mortality and to improve self-rated health, mental health, life satisfaction, social interaction, healthy behaviours and coping ability. There was also evidence that volunteers can make a difference to the health and well-being of service users, including increased self esteem, disease management and acceptance, parenting skills, mental health, survival time, healthy behaviours and improved relationships with health professionals. Volunteering programmes were highly context-dependent, and further research on the training and management of volunteers in healthcare settings is needed.

Citation

Casiday, R., Kinsman, E., Fisher, C., & Bambra, C. (2008). Volunteering and Health: What impact does it really have? Report to Volunteering England. [No known commissioning body]

• Report Type: Project Report
• Publication Date: 2008
• Deposit Date: Jan 31, 2012
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1608597
• Publisher URL: http://www.volunteering.org.uk/whatwedo/projects+and+initiatives/volunteeringinhealth/hsc.htm
• Additional Information: Publisher: Volunteering England; Type: monograph; Subtype: project_report