2022 Youth volunteering survey

In recent years, our youth engagement programme has seen significant growth. We recognise the importance of consulting with young people directly to develop and adapt our offers, making sure we're meeting their changing needs and helping achieve their aspirations.

Young volunteer in high vis and life jacket carrying bamboo sticks along the canal towpath

In early Spring 2022, we commissioned DJS Research to deliver a Youth Volunteering Survey.

An online panel was used to source a nationally representative sample of 2,003 young people aged 16-24 across England and Wales over three weeks. We asked about the big issues currently affecting them, their volunteering habits, their awareness of the Trust and the types of organisations and activities they would be most likely to support or engage with.

Read the full youth volunteering survey

Two Canal & River Trust volunteers plant greenery on the canal towpath

Youth volunteering survey 2022

Discover all our findings by reading the full survey

Survey highlights

Key highlights include:

72% said that out of the activities we provide, protecting and preserving wildlife is most important to them
71% said they're likely to volunteer or give unpaid help in the next 12 months
69% thought encouraging health and wellbeing through recreation and exercise was important
43% expressed interested in volunteering for us