What is the motivation of food bank volunteers? A North East case study

Brough, Jane (2024) What is the motivation of food bank volunteers? A North East case study. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

This research examines the motivation of food bank volunteers. Based on a case study in the North East of England, it questions assumptions around volunteer motivations as they are generally understood within volunteering theoretical frameworks. A Grounded Theory approach is used to explore three different food bank settings in two localities. Based on data gathered from an extended participant observation phase and interviews, it offers an alternative to the traditional theories for volunteering.

There is much research on food poverty, food insecurity and service users’ experience of using food banks. Similarly, there is much to offer on volunteering theory; model development can be tracked back to key theories. The research base for food bank volunteers’ motivation however remains largely unexplored. This research offers a contribution to knowledge in two areas.

Firstly, it develops an understanding of the extent to which it is possible in practice to implement the principles of Classic Grounded Theory.

Secondly, it identifies that motivations for food bank volunteering are not typical of those reasons that are identified within existing volunteering scholarship. To offer service users dignity and an anger about the failure of the Welfare State are the principal reasons for volunteering. These may not be the reasons for initial volunteering but quickly become the reason for continued involvement. This process evolves and emerges as the volunteer goes through a care to justice transition.

The motivation for volunteering is established in an emotional response to the situation of service users.

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