A survey by Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, has demonstrated how UK adults want to give back to their communities in 2026, with almost half (47%) likely to volunteer in the next year.
- New poll reveals how nearly half of UK adults (47%) say they are likely to volunteer in the next year.
- Time is the biggest barrier to volunteering (50%), followed by concerns about commitment (22%), uncertainty about how to get involved (18%) and a lack of awareness of local opportunities (17%).
- When it comes to volunteering, people are motivated by opportunities that fit around their lifestyle, with Gen Z and Millennials motivated by flexible hours and Gen X seeking short term, or one-off opportunities.
- Marie Curie is urging the public to donate just a couple of hours to collect for the Great Daffodil Appeal in March.
The results reveal the main barriers to volunteering, with half (50%) of people feeling that a lack of time is the biggest barrier. This is followed by concerns about the level of commitment (22%), uncertainty about how to get involved (18%) and a lack of awareness of opportunities in their local area (17%).
Meanwhile, of those who have volunteered, the majority (56%) say that giving back to their community inspires them, and almost half (49%) say that it gives them a sense of pride and purpose. Connection matters too, with 38% saying they get involved to meet people and feel part of something bigger.
The poll also uncovered the factors that would make people more likely to volunteer in 2026, and some generational differences too. Overall, people are more likely to sign up to opportunities that are short-term (26%) and have flexible hours (26%). Social connection is also a significant motivator for Gen Z, with 32% saying they’d be more likely to volunteer if they could do it with friends or family. For Millennials, flexible hours that fit around work and family life is the biggest motivator, whilst Gen X would be most likely to volunteer for short term or one-off opportunities. Overall, all generations are most motivated by giving something back to the community, closely followed by the sense of purpose and pride that volunteering gives them.
In light of this insight, Marie Curie is urging people to give just a couple of hours of their time to collect for the Great Daffodil Appeal this March. With the average collection shift lasting just two hours, often done in pairs at a local Morrisons store, it’s a flexible and fun opportunity to give back.
In 2025, 6,642 volunteers helped raise over £1.2 million for the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal.
Jayne Waterhouse, Head of Regional Fundraising at Marie Curie, said:
“With almost half of the UK saying they’re likely to volunteer in the next year, it’s clear that the public just need the right opportunity. The Great Daffodil Appeal, now in it’s 40th year, is a simple, fun and easy way people can give back to their local communities and help us continue to bring vital end of life care to more people.
“Volunteering can be such a rewarding experience, you can take part with friends or family and our team will be on hand to support you and make sure you have everything you need so you have the best volunteer experience possible.
“Just a two-hour collection can raise £85, which is enough to help fund almost four hours of expert nursing care or five calls to our free national Support Line, so every shift can make a real difference to terminally ill people and their loved ones.
“By getting involved, you can help Marie Curie provide expert end of life care and support to more people, whatever the illness.”
Marie Curie is dependent on fundraising and public donations and last year supporters helped the charity provide direct palliative and end of life care to over 42,000 people across the UK via its hospices and specialist nursing care in people’s own homes. Money raised during the Great Daffodil Appeal also helps fund vital research and the charity’s Support Line, which provided practical information and a listening ear over 21,000 times to people across the UK last year.
To find out more about how you can sign up to collect for the Great Daffodil Appeal this March and help Marie Curie provide more expert care and support, visit: Marie Curie Volunteer
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 5000 general respondents in the UK. The data was collected between 26.11.2025 – 05.12.2025.
Regional data
Further regional breakdowns available upon request
Table 1: Regional breakdown of the % of respondents likely to volunteer in 2026.
Table 2: Regional breakdown of the reasons that respondents haven’t volunteered.
About the Great Daffodil Appeal
The Great Daffodil Appeal encourages people to donate and wear a daffodil to support the charity so they can help people with any terminal illness and their families. With your support, we can ensure Marie Curie Nurses bring expert end of life care when there’s no cure, whatever the illness. 2026 is the 40th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal.
To support the Great Daffodil Appeal in 2026 you can also pick up an iconic daffodil pin in Morrisons, Superdrug, Savers and SPAR stores this March. For information and to donate, visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
About Marie Curie
- Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity.
- The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we’re with you to the end.
- If you’re living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie
Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk - Marie Curie has a whole host of volunteering opportunities available, ranging from remote to in-person roles at our hospices, our charity shops or in people’s homes. To find out more about roles including companion volunteers, fundraising volunteers, telephone support and more visit: Mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.