Wellbeing of Volunteers - Literature Review

Volunteer wellbeing is not an additional benefit of volunteering, it is a foundation for sustainable participation and strong organisations. This report examines the conditions that help volunteers thrive, including meaningful roles, supportive leadership, clear expectations, recognition, belonging, inclusion and manageable workloads. It also highlights the risks that can undermine wellbeing, such as overload, role ambiguity, lack of support, emotional strain and burnout. Drawing on research across different volunteer profiles and contexts, the report shows how wellbeing affects not only volunteers, but also retention, organisational effectiveness and the quality of service provided. The findings offer practical guidance for building volunteering environments where people can contribute with purpose, remain connected and sustain their involvement over time.