Community-led action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales: a national, cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, large numbers of people in Wales gave their time to support others in their community in response to the health and social consequences of the virus. Local communities stepped up and self-organised around a common purpose. This community support is an important contributor to population health and, alongside social capital, are key assets for strengthening resilience and reducing health and social inequalities in communities in recovery from the pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore the wider context of community participation in voluntary activities and examine differences across communities. METHODS: Our national cross-sectional online survey was open for 8 weeks during May 12 to July 9, 2021, targeting formal and informal volunteers via a multifaceted snowball sampling approach (age ≥18 years; living, working, volunteering in Wales). Outcome measures included motivation, benefits, activities, barriers, socioeconomics (age, education, employment, postcode), digital volunteerism, resilience (measured using RRC-ARM 12), health and wellbeing (measured using WEMWBS-14). Descriptive and multivariate analysis using SPSS, version 24, examined factors underlying volunteerism. Ethical approval was received on March 17, 2021, from University of Bristol, Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (115444). FINDINGS: The online survey was accessed 3517 times, providing 2075 eligible responses for analysis (approximately 59% response rate; calculated as n=2075/3517, because real denominator unknown due to the method of sampling). 71·7% of respondents were female, with median age 55 years (IQR 37–73). 58·9% of respondents were educated to degree level, 36·1% were full-time employed, and 53·9% experienced pandemic employment changes. 75·1% reported good or better health during the pandemic. 64·0% volunteered more time during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. 1224 (59·0%) of 2075 volunteered through formally organised groups, compared with 1041 (50·4%) of 2065 prepandemic (d(Cohen) –0·181, 95% CI –0·242 to –0·120). 490 (23·6%) of 2075 volunteered through informal groups, compared with 174 (8·4%) of 2065 prepandemic (d(Cohen) –0·445, 95% CI –0·507 to –0·384). 1067 (51·4%) of 2075 volunteered as individuals, compared with 621 (30·1%) of 2065 prepandemic (d(Cohen) –0·438, 95% CI –0·499 to –0·376). Of groups, 25·6% were new and 33·3% pre-existing with refocused activities. 54·5% of volunteers provided practical support and 40·0% provided befriending services for loneliness. Of volunteers, 79·4% were motivated by others' health and wellbeing, 57·0% by achievement, and 36·2% by increased needs awareness. 32·7% felt social media made volunteering easier. 84·1% felt people supported others well during the pandemic. 78·8% were likely to continue volunteering post pandemic, with lack of time the main barrier to continuing volunteering post pandemic (χ(2) 45·284, df 2, p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: Improved understanding of factors, motivations, and wider context of emerging volunteering contributing to participation in community-led action and its impact on mitigating or reducing inequalities. FUNDING: Health Foundation.