35% cent of Russians have acted as mentors for volunteers
The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre: Thirty-five per cent of Russians have acted as mentors for volunteers
11.04.2024
Published by ASI, Moscow
The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Centre conducted a survey last September to determine the degree of awareness among Russians about volunteering and voluntary work involving 1,612 respondents aged 18 and over across 80 different regions.
98% of those who took part in the research are familiar with the work of volunteers, with only two per cent having no previous knowledge of such activity. More than half (61%) know a lot about being a volunteer.
The main reasons cited by respondents for participating in voluntary work were:
- A desire to feel useful – 54%;
- An opportunity to help resolve other people’s problems – 36%;
- A wish to put into effect their values and beliefs – 22%
More often than not, respondents acted as mentors, passed on their experience and educated children (35%), as well as taking part in environmental work (33%).
Volunteer bodies are trusted by more than 83% of the public and 58% approve or have respect for their activities. Most respondents said they would be supportive if a friend decided to become a volunteer.
According to participants in the research, volunteers should be mainly involved in searching for missing persons (93%), helping citizens affected by armed conflict (88%) and work in the social sector (87%). People with disabilities, children left without parental care and the elderly need the help of volunteers the most (74%).
People between 35 and 44 years of age were the most active volunteers (30%) and, to a lesser extent, 25 to 34 year olds (25%). Only 21% of respondents aged between 18 and 24 were involved in voluntary work.
