Back in August 2020, Club Matters undertook surveys with volunteers and participants in clubs and groups across England to understand people feelings towards returning to activity.

The full reports are available at the bottom of this page, but some of the key headlines are:

Volunteers

  • During the initial lockdown period 71% continued to volunteer in some capacity 
  • 14% of volunteers had significant anxiety about returning
  • Coaches / instructors were more likely to have stopped during lockdown and were less likely to return

Participants

  • 8% of people were unsure if they would return and reported high levels of anxiety
  • Social distancing, hygiene and sticking to the rules were the key concerns of participants
  • Individual indoor sports were hit the hardest through this time

What we have seen across the last seven months is huge resilience from clubs and determination from volunteers to keep things going! Some of the key learnings from the surveys include:

Volunteers

  • Tailor communications to re-engage those who have not returned yet
  • Helping volunteers to avoid burnout 
  • Letting volunteers know that you are open to new ways of volunteering and supporting them

Participants

  • Communication is key - give people the factual information that the need to feel reassured that the club environment is safe
  • Ensure that you are catering for the different needs of everyone in club - either face to face or virtually
  • Continually check in on how people are feeling and adapt to support them

Participant and volunteer reports
Sport category reports

Last modified: Wednesday, 15 September 2021, 11:48 AM