Volunteering in the community: Understanding personal experiences of South Asians in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Upstanding civic action is central to individual and community wellbeing, particularly when communities comprise rich and diverse membership. Although the UK policy has advanced substantially towards the development of volunteering within the third sector, the uptake of volunteers from the South Asian community has been low. Additionally, research into the experience and meanings that this ethnic group attributes to volunteering has been exceptionally scarce. Informed by a community psychology perspective, this qualitative study conducted nine semi-structured interviews with British based South Asians to explore their personal experiences and motivations regarding volunteering for their community of belonging. Results from thematic analysis revealed that volunteering generates positive benefits in terms of individual wellbeing. Additionally, volunteering for South Asians is intrinsically tied to religious and cultural motivations. However, the findings also revealed that South Asians who volunteer often experience social injustice and marginalisation. On the other hand, these very obstacles sometimes become drivers for volunteering for their community of belonging. These findings offer valuable insights and recommendations for community organisations and governmental bodies to better promote volunteering for ethnic minorities. We suggest the adoption of cultural and religious sensitivity, along with strategies to remove barriers in access of opportunities and support for volunteering.

A Behavioural-Theory-Based Qualitative Study of the Beliefs and Perceptions of Marginalised Populations towards Community Volunteering to Increase Measles Immunisation Coverage in Sabah, Malaysia

“…“Volunteering” is “any action in which time is spent doing anything that intends to contribute to the environment or people.” [ 1 ]. The public health domain has relied on community volunteering strategies to increase immunisation rates by implementing: (i) outreach initiatives, (ii) reminder and recall systems, (iii) education, and (iv) incentives [ 2 ].…”