New figures show charities creating more roles for skills-based volunteers
New figures from Reach Volunteering show an increase in charities actively creating roles for skills-based volunteers, pointing to growing confidence in professionals volunteering their skills as an effective way for charities and social purpose groups to increase impact and drive development.
The figures are published alongside our new January awareness campaign, within reach, which brings together real stories from people already volunteering their skills to make this growing activity visible, and to encourage more people to step forward.
October and November 2025 were both record months for the number of volunteer roles posted on Reach, suggesting that charities are increasingly embedding skills-based volunteering into how they operate.
In 2025:
- Charities posted 7,095 roles for skills-based volunteers on Reach, an increase of 13.4% on 2024
- 16,260 people volunteered their skills through Reach, up slightly from 16,237 in 2024
The data suggests that charities are increasingly looking to involve skills-based volunteers and identifying specific areas where professional expertise can strengthen governance, systems and long-term resilience.
Nearly 95% of organisations surveyed* said that volunteers and trustees recruited through Reach helped them become more effective. In 2024, volunteers contributed an estimated £60 million worth of professional expertise to charities and grassroots organisations and the new campaign aims to help grow this figure.
“After a record rise in the number of people volunteering their skills in 2024, we’re delighted to see that this rise was sustained in 2025. What’s also striking about the 2025 figures is the way charities are becoming more intentional about how they involve skills-based volunteers. They are increasingly creating roles around real organisational needs - and when skills-based volunteers are brought in thoughtfully and flexibly, it leads to better outcomes for charities and more meaningful experiences for volunteers.”
Reach supports charities of all sizes, including small and grassroots organisations that are often furthest from power and resources. Skills-based volunteers recruited through Reach have helped organisations strengthen boards, improve financial resilience, build digital capacity and develop future-facing strategies.
The within reach campaign brings together real stories from people already volunteering their skills to challenge the perception that few people are taking action and to show that positive change is already happening at scale.
Professionals interested in volunteering their skills, and charities looking to involve skills-based volunteers in their work, can find out more about
Share your volunteering experience on our testimonial collection platform to inspire others to step forward.
More from Reach
Change is within reach
Volunteering is thriving - Just not where you’ve been looking
In these turbulent times, what gives you hope?
How Reach works for volunteers
How Reach works for volunteers
