Volunteering is at a historic low in England, with two different pieces of research revealing the damaging, long-term effect the pandemic has had.
There is just one week to go before the Big Help Out, an official part of the coronation weekend designed to create one of the biggest community activations in British history.
But the Time Well Spent 2023 report from National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), which surveyed 7,000 adults, found that those raising money or taking part in sponsored events has fallen by 48%, from 11% to 6%, since 2018.
The report also found that those organising or helping to run an activity has fallen by 52%, from 14% to 7%, and those campaigning on behalf of a charity has gone down by 49%, from 8% to 4%.
“The impact of Covid on volunteering has been profound,” said Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO.
“People who were lifelong volunteers broke their habit during the pandemic and haven’t yet got back to it. Millions more who would have committed to longer-term volunteering didn’t have the chance.”
More data from the Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) UK Giving report found that only 13% of people said they volunteered in the last year, compared with 17% pre-pandemic, representing about 1.6 million fewer people volunteering over the past five years.
CAF’s report also reveals that volunteering is overwhelmingly the preserve of elderly people: only 6% to 7% of people aged 16 to 44 had volunteered in the past year, and just 5% of 45- to 54-year-olds. At least 10% of those aged 65 and older, in contrast, had volunteered.
But some experts and grassroots organisations have warned that the goal of the Big Help Out to inspire the next generation of volunteers is compromised by its explicit links to the monarchy.
“I would have liked to volunteer but by making the event part of the coronation, I can’t do it,” said Quamina, founder of Dope Black Queers.
“The monarchy is the very antithesis of what my charity is about – many of the difficulties we face in society are a direct result of colonialism and the monarchy, both historically and how they operate now.”
Shanelle Webb, who runs the Soul Shack, a Black and youth-led social enterprise in the London borough of Lambeth, agreed that linking the Big Help Out to the drive to find more volunteers was problematic.
“I think a lot of my service users would be disappointed in my charity if we took part,” she said.
“The fact the coronation is costing so much money is an issue: that makes its call for volunteers to work for free to help people struggling with the cost of living look like it’s not really about people: it’s just about making the coronation look good.”
The Time Well Spent survey also revealed the positive impact that volunteering has on people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Vibert said: “Given how important volunteering is to our social fabric – and how much people get out of it – we need an urgent focus on helping people find opportunities that suit them.”
But Ed Mayo, chief executive of Pilotlight, which assists charities to succeed, questioned whether a short-term drive like the Big Help Out could turn the volunteering crisis around.
“We need to change the social norm around volunteering,” he said. “Research proves that a one-off event can’t do that: it requires long-term targeting of the public over many years.”
Prof Matthew Flinders from the University of Sheffield’s politics department agreed. “The challenge is to sustain the energy, the positive heat that is generated for the longer term,” he said. “Otherwise the Big Help Out will just be a flash in the pan.”
Michael Allen, 35, from Liskeard, has been named locally as the victim in an outbreak of violence near the Eclipse Nightclub in Bodmin, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
At least seven others were taken to hospital after the incident suffering stab wounds with injuries ranging from ‘serious’ to ‘minor,’ although none were described as life-threatening.
Michael Allen, 35, from Liskeard, was stabbed to death in Bodmin, while at least seven other were injured
(PA Media)
Devon and Cornwall Police have since launched a murder investigation and arrested a 24-year-old man from Bodmin on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
As the police probe continues, family, friends and teammates have paid tribute to the “absolute legend” and “kind-hearted” Mr Allen, who lived in Bodmin and was a popular player at the local rugby club Bodmin RFC.
Here is everything we know about the incident so far:
What happened?
Devon and Cornwall Police were called at 3.15am on Sunday to Castle Canyke Road following a report of “a serious altercation”.
The force then received further reports that someone was in possession of a knife and that multiple people had suffered stab wounds.
A victim in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene. He was later named locally as 33-year-old Michael Allen. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialised officers.
At least seven other men and women were injured and rushed to hospital, but none were said to be in a life-threatening condition.
The force confirmed that some of those caught up in the incident had been in the Eclipse nightclub earlier in the evening, but it said the attack itself happened outside.
Pictures taken on Monday show a police cordon that remains around the scene outside Eclipse nightclub.
A man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene outside Eclipse nightclub in Bodmin
(Google Maps)
What do we know about the victims?
Tributes to the “absolute legend” and “kind-hearted” rugby player Mr Allen have poured in from family, friends and teammates.
Alongside a request for privacy, his family has today paid the following tribute: “Mike was simply a much-loved son, brother, grandson, and uncle who loved his dogs.”
A friend said: “You were a great funny guy Michael Allen, an absolute legend, heart of gold. Rest in peace big man absolutely gutted.”
Another took to social media to write of her devastation and pay tribute to her “kind-hearted” friend, whose nickname was ‘Chabel’.
Michael Allen, 35, has been named locally as the victim in an outbreak of violence near the Eclipse Nightclub in Bodmin, in the early hours of Sunday morning
(Supplied)
A third wrote of her sadness on Facebook, describing Mr Allen as “such a lovely, bubbly lad”.
A family member wrote: “What a horrible world we live in, Michael, love you always cuz. He really was the kindest, most gentle man. He will be very missed.”
The Hole in the Wall, Bodmin, held a minute’s silence for Mr Allen on Sunday evening as it was a pub he used to go to often, especially with his teammates.
Licensee Stephen Hall told The Independent that, while he did not know Mr Allen personally, he frequently saw the rugby player in the pub and many pubgoers knew him.
“There’s a lot of shock and emotion about what happened in the early hours,” Mr Hall said. “It affects the town greatly - but, more importantly, it affects the family and friends.”
Tributes to the “absolute legend” and “kind-hearted” rugby player Mr Allen have poured in from family, friends and teammates
Alongside a picture of him playing rugby, fellow Bodmin RFC player Ollie Brooks wrote: “It was a pleasure Chabel. Fly high brother. Mike Allen [heart].” Similarly, Lachlan Blacklaw paid tribute to his teammate, writing: “It was a pleasure Chabel. Never Forgotten Brother. Run hard forever. Mike Allen [heart].”
Bodmin RFC announced on social media on Monday afternoon: “It is with great sadness that we can now announce the passing of our player and friend Mike Allen (Chabel).
“Mike came to the club earlier this season and quickly became a big part of our squad. His humour and kindness has left a mark on us all and we will miss him dearly.
“Our thoughts are with Mike’s family at this devastating time.
“There is a memorial set up outside the rugby club where people are welcome to come to pay their respects and lay flowers.
“Fly high brother.”
Helston RFC also paid tribute to the sports player, posting: “The thoughts of everyone here at Helston RFC are with Bodmin RFC today. The tragic loss of Mike Allen will be felt by all. Our condolences to his family, friends and club.”
Lankelly Fowey Rugby Club wrote of how “deeply saddened” the whole club is to hear of Mr Allen’s passing. “All of us at Lankelly RFC are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chabel (Mike Allen),” it wrote. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the entire Bodmin RFC community during this difficult time. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and know that we stand with you in this time of mourning. Bodmin RFC.”
A tribute site has been set up at Bodmin Rugby Club, where people can gather to remember Mr Allen. Local officers will be there to help support the community. The community hub will run from 4-6pm on Monday and then twice daily from 10am-midday and 4-6pm for the next week.
What have the police said?
The force announced, alongside news of the man’s death, that a murder investigation had been launched.
A 24-year-old man from Bodmin has been arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He remains in police custody at this time.
No one else is being sought in connection with the incident, with the police describing it as “isolated”.
Devon and Cornwall Police announced a murder investigation has been launched
Supt Rob Youngman said it was not currently known what the relationship was between the arrested man and the victim and they were still trying to establish a motive.
He said: "At this moment in time we are working to continue to understand the motivation behind this incident. The relationship, if any, between those involved is not clear at this stage.
"We believe some members of the group who were injured had been in Eclipse nightclub. They were then outside in Castle Canyke Road when the incident happened."
Previously, Detective Inspector Ilona Rosson, from the major crime investigation team, urged anyone with information that may assist their investigation to come forward and report it but implored the public to refrain from speculation.
She said: “At this time we are treating this as an isolated matter and we are not seeking anyone else in connection to this incident.
“This is a live and active police investigation, and I would urge people not to speculate on social media but if you have information which may assist us, please report it.”
East Cornwall local Policing superintendent Rob Youngman expressed his sympathies for the victim’s family.
He said in a statement: “Understandably, this incident will have an impact on the local community, and our thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
He added: “Anyone who has not yet been spoken to by officers, and has any information which may assist our investigation, please get in touch. This could include any relevant dashcam, doorbell and CCTV footage from the area of Victoria Square and along Castle Canyke Road.”
How has the local community reacted?
Cornwall councillor Leigh Frost said the attack in his ward was “shocking and devastating” for Bodmin.
He told BBC News: “Bodmin is a small town and it’s not rife with crime, it’s quite a friendly place. We are a strong community and we will pull together and get through this together.
“My thoughts are with everyone involved, the victim and his family.
“I also praise the emergency services for responding so quickly and the police for ensuring there is a full investigation.”
Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall, shared his own upset at the “truly horrific news”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and the family of the victims,” he wrote on Twitter.
Residents also took to social media to share their disdain at the attack, with one Twitter user stating: “Such sad news from Bodmin today. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this.”
What is happening at the scene now?
Officers remain at the scene near the Eclipse Nightclub in Bodmin on Monday after the tragic incident. Investigators wearing white suits have also been photographed in the area.
Anyone who has witnessed the incident or has any information, including footage that could help with enquiries, is urged to contact police via the Major Incident Public Portal.
Donald Trump has touched down in Scotland this morning to open a long-delayed second golf course at his Aberdeenshire estate.
The former US president, 76, is visiting the Trump International Golf Links at Balmedie, where he will cut a ribbon to announce work on a project he described on social media as “a new and SPECTACULAR Second Course in Aberdeen”.
Before getting into a waiting car, Trump said: “It’s great to be home, this was the home of my mother.”
“Trump Force One” landed at Aberdeen airport this morning
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Trump has said many times that he inherited his love of Scotland from his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. She was a native Gaelic speaker and met his father after emigrating to the United States as a young woman.
Striking rail staff should want to stand in solidarity with fellow Ukrainian workers rather than "cynically target" the Eurovision Song Contest, which the UK is hosting on behalf of the war-torn nation, the transport secretary has said.
Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Mark Harper argued the stricken country's train network has been the specific focus of attacks by invading Russian forces on the orders of Vladimir Putin.
But the cabinet minister's comments have been derided as "bizarre" by a union leader at the centre of the rail dispute, who highlighted his group's support for Ukraine and argued seeking a pay rise had nothing to do with the conflict.
Mr Harper was speaking after it was announced members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at 14 train operators would walkout on the day of the Eurovision final being staged in Liverpool on 13 May.
It comes after the union's executive rejected the latest offer aimed at resolving a long-running pay row.
The train driver's union Aslef is also to hold strikes on the eve of the Eurovision competition on 12 May and 31 May, as well as on 3 June, the day of the FA Cup Final.
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4:13
From the frontline to Eurovision
Mr Harper told Ridge: "I think it's very damaging that the rail unions are calling a strike specifically targeting the Eurovision Song Contest.
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"I've met with the head of Ukrainian Railways. The Ukrainian railways have been specifically targeted by Vladimir Putin. Rail workers are being killed in their hundreds.
"And I would have thought, frankly, rail workers would have wanted to stand in solidarity with them rather than targeting the Eurovision Song Contest, which, if you remember, it's not our song contest.
"We are hosting it, but we're hosting it for Ukraine and I think cynically targeting events that hard-working, working men and women across the country are spending their money on to try and attend and targeting those I think is very cynical."
Image:Aslef boss Mick Whelan says Mr Harper's remarks are 'ridiculous'
But hitting back, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "I take my hat off to Mr Harper, because of all the accusations I have ever heard, and I have heard a good few in my time, this really is the most ridiculous.
"He claims we are not standing in solidarity with Ukraine when he knows - or should know - that we have stood in solidarity with the people of that country much longer than he has."
He added: "I have been to Ukraine - I was there as the Russian tanks invaded - and Aslef's assistant general secretary, Simon Weller, has been there to talk to rail workers when the Russian bombs were falling. Mr Harper hasn't. And we are members of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign. Mr Harper isn't.
"So I am not going to take any lessons in solidarity from a Tory cabinet minister who doesn't understand what he is talking about.
"Standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine has nothing to do with the Eurovision Song Contest, anyway, bless him.
"And we are not even on strike on the day of the contest, anyway."
Mr Whelan went on: "The truth is that Mr Harper should tell the train companies to come back to the negotiating table and make train drivers who have not had a pay increase since 2019 a sensible offer so they can buy, this year, what they could buy four years ago. Then there would be no more strikes.
"The only people who are responsible for the ongoing strikes in this country - in all the different sectors of the British economy - are the government and the employers.
"And seeking a pay increase has nothing whatsoever to do with Ukraine."
Passengers on a ferry to Orkney had to be evacuated and taken ashore by lifeboat after the vessel ran aground in what was described as “a major incident”.
All 60 passengers, including three children and a baby, were said to be safe and well after the incident in Scapa Flow on Saturday evening.
The ferry company Pentland Ferries said smoke was detected in the engine room of MV Pentalina shortly before it grounded near its destination, the village of St Margaret’s Hope on Orkney.
The Pentalina had only on Wednesday returned to service on the 80-minute crossing from Gills Bay across the Pentland Firth to St Margaret’s Hope.
The company said the Pentalina had “undergone a technical overhaul, including a full service of all four engines and generators”.
On Sunday the company said all sailings between the Scottish mainland and Orkney were cancelled and that it was contacting all customers due to travel. Further updates would follow, it said.
The RMT union said a full investigation into what happened was now needed.
In a statement the union said: “We are aware of a major incident onboard the MV Pentalina which has run aground, taking on water with a fire in the engine room.
“RNLI lifeboats have been dispatched and all of the ferry’s passengers and crew are reported to be safe.
“A thorough investigation will be needed to establish how this major incident aboard the Pentland Ferries vessel occurred.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said coastguard rescue teams from St Margaret’s Hope, Stromness and Kirkwall, alongside Stromness and Longhope RNLI lifeboats, responded to a mayday broadcast from the passenger vessel after it was grounded. A fire and minor water ingress had been reported.
The fire was extinguished and passengers were evacuated by lifeboat with everyone safe and well, it said.
On Facebook the RNLI Stromness Lifeboat posted: “Many thanks to the volunteer crews of Stromness and Longhope lifeboats for prompt action in the safe evacuation of a passenger vessel in Scapa Flow this evening. All passengers and their baggage, plus some crew, were taken the short distance to shore and some crew remained on the boat.”
Scotland’s transport minister, Kevin Stewart, said in a tweet: “Sorry to hear of the grounding of MV Pentalina, but glad that it seems that all on board are safe and well and that emergency services are in attendance.”
The words and actions of the coronation service were decided by Lambeth Palace, the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in close consultation with the King and the UK Government.
They will ask “all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories, to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all”.
The order of service will read: “All who so desire, in the abbey, and elsewhere, say together: “All: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to your majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
The vocal pledge has been termed a “Homage of the People”. It is supposed to replace the traditional “Homage of Peers” in which a long line of hereditary aristocrats knelt and made a pledge to the monarch in person.
Graham Smith, the CEO of campaign group Republic, said the calls for a pledge of allegiance looked "like a spectacular misjudgement".
National columnist Ruth Wishart added: "Swear allegiance to a hereditary monarchy? What fresh hell is this?"
The new Homage of the People was introduced to allow “a chorus of millions of voices” to put out a “great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King”, Lambeth Palace said.
It will be followed by the playing of a fanfare.
The Archbishop of Canterbury (above) will then proclaim “God Save The King”, with all asked to respond: “God Save King Charles. Long Live King Charles. May The King live forever.”
A spokesperson for Lambeth Palace said: “The Homage of the People is particularly exciting because that’s brand new.
“That’s something that we can share in because of technological advances, so not just the people in the abbey, but people who are online, on television, who are listening, and who are gathered in parks, at big screens and churches.
“Our hope is at that point, when the Archbishop invites people to join in, that people wherever they are, if they’re watching at home on their own, watching the telly, will say it out loud – this sense of a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.”
The words printed in the service are for “everyone to share in”, the spokesperson said.
Before the Homage of the People, the Archbishop of Canterbury will pay homage representing the Church of England, followed by the Prince of Wales – performing what is the only “Homage of Royal Blood”.
William (above) will kneel before the monarch, place his hands between his father’s and vow to be his “liege man of life and limb”.
He will say: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
The symbolic act means the heir to the throne, as “liege man” to the King, has a mutual obligation to the monarch.
In the past, other dukes of royal blood would pay homage, but this time, with only William taking part from the royal family, it removes the need for the controversial Dukes of Sussex and York to undertake this role.
The removal of the homages of hereditary peers also has the benefit of helping to reduce the length of the service, which is now two hours instead of around three as it was at the late Queen’s coronation.
William will also enter the coronation theatre earlier in the ceremony in the investiture segment and help clothe the King in the robe royal, also known as the mantle, ahead of the crowning.
William will join others to lift the “robe of righteousness” on to his father. This is supposed to represent what the King, as sovereign, has been given by God.
