‘I do what’s needed’: extraordinary UK volunteers doing the extraordinary

Dr Leanne Levers, left, and Roshan Roberts of Dope Black Women, a digital community where more than 30,000 Black women from across the world build strong, supportive networks. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

Volunteering is in crisis across Britain. Two separate pieces of analysis this weekend have revealed the long-term impact the pandemic has had on people’s willingness to come forward: with the number raising money or taking part in sponsored events falling by 48% since 2018; and the number organising or helping to run an activity down by 52%.

In total, about 1.6 million fewer people volunteered last year, compared with five years ago.