Volunteer Satisfaction Report 2026

Healthwatch Tower Hamlets undertook research on volunteer satisfaction and experiences between February and March 2026. They spoke to 19 volunteers working across community engagement, marketing, communications, research, insight and internship roles. Overall satisfaction was very high, with an average score of 4.58 out of 5 and almost three-quarters of volunteers rating their experience as excellent.

Volunteers consistently reported that their roles helped them develop skills and improve their employability. Eighty-four per cent felt volunteering had made them more employable and 95% said it had improved their confidence in communicating with others. Participants highlighted gaining experience in areas such as qualitative research, thematic analysis, public speaking, data entry, report writing and cross-cultural communication. Many also valued the social benefits of volunteering and the opportunity to stay active and engaged while seeking employment.

Training opportunities were viewed positively, with safeguarding, GDPR and patient experience training being the most commonly completed. Volunteers also highlighted the supportive environment, opportunities to build professional skills and increased confidence. Some reported that volunteering helped them maintain a sense of purpose and connection during periods of unemployment.

The report identified a small number of areas for improvement, including email responsiveness, communication, scheduling and career support. Healthwatch Tower Hamlets recommended introducing regular volunteer check-ins, clearer communication channels, advance planning of activities and additional support such as CV and LinkedIn workshops. The report concluded that volunteering with Healthwatch Tower Hamlets provides a highly positive and rewarding experience while offering valuable opportunities for personal and professional development.