Early volunteerism has impact later in life: survey

Singaporeans who take part in community work in school are more likely to volunteer for charity projects later in life.

This was one of the key findings of the Individual Giving Survey 2010 conducted by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy (NVPC). The survey covered 1,815 respondents aged 15 and above but excluded those who only served the minimum required hours under the Community Involvement Programme (CIP).

It found that respondents in the 15 to 19 age group, who had previously participated in community work in school, had a significantly higher volunteerism rate compared to those who did not.

Thirty-five per cent of those in the former group are currently volunteers as compared to 15 per cent for those who did not participate in the CIP.

NVPC also found that four in five participants of compulsory community work in school were satisfied with their experience

Terming the CIP a "gateway to volunteerism", chief executive of NVPC Laurence Lien said, "CIP connects our students to social concerns, and this exposure is more likely to spark continued volunteerism throughout their lives."

He pointed out, however, the initiative can be improved to have more impact.

NVPC is working on a pilot project with schools to introduce informal volunteering, which focuses on assets in the community, rather than needs.

The survey also showed a fall in volunteerism as one grows older.

While 48 per cent of those aged 15 to 19 have volunteered in the past 12 months, this figure falls to 23 per cent among those aged 20 to 24 and to 16 per cent among those aged 25 to 29.

As school leavers start building their careers, they have less time for volunteering, said NVPC. The organisation thus encourages employers to promote volunteer activities.

The study showed 80 per cent of former volunteers and 54 per cent of non-volunteers would participate if such activities were organised.

Similar to the results of NVPC's 2008 survey, the 2010 survey revealed that those earning a monthly income below $1,000 tend to donate a higher percentage of their personal annual income compared to the other income groups.

But among the respondents with a personal monthly income of $4,000 and above, at least one in three intend to donate online in the next 12 months.

Lien said NVPC's online donation portal, SG Gives, would work with charities to better reach out to those earning a higher income.

The survey, carried out every two years since its inception in 2000, was conducted between April to August last year and aims to study the pattern of volunteerism and philanthropy in Singapore.