That’s why recent government plans to link volunteering with immigration status have raised concerns across the charity sector.
We’re adding our voice to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), who are calling for a different approach.
In a new Command Paper on asylum and immigration reform, the government has set out plans for a new “earned settlement” model. Under this model, people seeking to settle in the UK could be required to demonstrate “contribution” to life in the UK to secure earlier settlement, with volunteering listed as one possible form of contribution.
While volunteering is presented positively in the paper, it is framed as something that would need to be measured, evidenced, and verified as part of an immigration decision. This shifts volunteering from something people choose to do into something they might feel required to do.
At WEA, we believe that volunteering should always be about choice, and we are concerned that if volunteering becomes linked to settlement, the element of choice becomes blurred. When choice is removed, or when participation is incentivised under threat of negative consequences, volunteering risks losing everything that makes it meaningful.
Many WEA learners, including migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum, go on to volunteer after taking our courses. They bring lived experience, cultural insight and a deep understanding of what learners need. In return, they grow in confidence, develop skills and often take steps into further learning or work.
This mutual benefit is what makes volunteering so valuable, and what risks being undermined by these proposals.
We’re proud to stand with NCVO in asking the government to withdraw plans that link volunteering to immigration status.
Instead, we want to see investment in volunteering so more people can take part for the right reasons.
If the aim is to encourage participation, connection, and contribution, then volunteering must remain something people want to do, not something they feel compelled to prove.
As Volunteering Manager at WEA, I see the difference volunteering makes every day. For individuals, for learning environments and for communities. Our commitment is to keep volunteering ethical, inclusive and values‑led.
We want to welcome more people into volunteering, but always on the basis of choice, dignity and support.
Read more about NCVO’s campaign here
Read NCVO's news release about the settlement proposals here
