The special position of volunteers in the formation of social capital

Abstract

This article examines the special role of volunteers in the formation of social capital. While there is a growing recognition that volunteering is important and does contribute to social capital, there is very little understanding of the micro-processes involved. A qualitative study of volunteers and their clients examines these processes. The argument of the article is fourfold. Firstly, that volunteers play a key role as community builders by creating new organisations and services. Secondly, that volunteers play a key role in developing bonding, intracommunity links. Thirdly, that volunteers play a mediating role in community networks, particularly between professional and lay networks. Fourthly, that, given their key location in community networks, they also play a key role in developing bridging links with other organisations and communities of interest. Given this key position, they may be instrumental in creating, or altematively obstructing, broader community networks. That is, they play a potential bridge-builder or gatekeeper role in network building - a role that may facilitate or impede inclusiveness.