Is volunteering for everyone? Volunteering opportunities for young ex-offenders

Kirby, Amy (2016) Is volunteering for everyone? Volunteering opportunities for young ex-offenders. Safer Communities 15 (2), pp. 82-93. ISSN 1757-8043.

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore volunteering opportunities for young adults with criminal records (‘young ex-offenders’). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted primarily in one London borough. It involved mapping volunteering opportunities for young ex-offenders and conducting in-depth interviews with young ex-offenders and practitioners from volunteer-involving organisations and resettlement organisations. FINDINGS: Several perceived benefits of volunteering for young ex-offenders were identified; particularly in relation to ‘softer’ outcomes such as building confidence, learning new skills and developing a routine. Perceived challenges focused on whether or not organisations were able to provide volunteers with adequate levels of support; concerns about levels of engagement among volunteers and confusion over safeguarding procedures, particularly in relation to the obtaining of Disclosure and Barring Checks. ORGINALITY/VALUE: This paper offers practical insight into the scope of volunteering for young ex-offenders which may be of use to volunteer-involving organisations and resettlement organisations interested in providing such opportunities to young ex-offenders.

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