🔍💡 Volunteering in health: an invisible "backbone" of over 1 million people who humanise the care system, from screening to end of life. #VolunteeringHealth #PublicPolicies🧭🤝 From a simple "helping hand" to a true lever of democracy in health: how to organise, secure and recognise volunteers in hospitals, care homes and grassroots associations. #CitizenEngagement
📌 This report is directly useful to association leaders, volunteer coordinators, managers of health/social care structures and local decision-makers who want to structure, secure and recognise volunteering in health.
It provides recent figures, a precise typology of forms of volunteering in health and 16 actionable proposals to better integrate volunteers into care and life pathways.It also enlightens elected officials, ARS and prevention teams on the issues of governance, territorial coordination and sustainable support for the health/social associative fabric.
Source: 📒 Action Study BEST – VOLUNTEERING in the FIELD OF HEALTH
✍️ France Volunteering (editorial direction: François Bouchon; writing: Nathalie Baillon-Plot, Évelyne Bouchon, François Bouchon, Étienne Hoepffner, Véronique Loyer, Nicolas Mitjavile) February 2026
📜🔗LINK to the source
Number of pages: 110
1. Analytical summary
Context and issues: a system under pressure, a structuring volunteering
The report starts from an observation: the French healthcare system, although well-resourced (health expenditure at 11.4% of GDP in 2024), is weakened by ageing, the rise of chronic diseases, a shortage of professionals, and inequalities in access to care.
Health volunteers operate in this tense environment alongside caregivers, providing presence, listening, maintaining social connections, supporting relatives, and defending rights, without replacing professionals.
The report adopts a broad definition of health (WHO, Ottawa Charter) including prevention, mental health, social action, medico-social, and access to rights, and limits its analysis to associative volunteering (law 1901 and foundations), excluding informal, political, religious, trade union, or municipal volunteering.
It documents an ecosystem of around 35,000 to 40,000 'health' associations in the strict sense, plus 90,000 to 100,000 associations in the social/humanitarian field, representing nearly 10% of the French associative fabric.
Approximately 1 million volunteers specifically engage in health and more than 2.1 million in the broader health/social/humanitarian scope, with a strong presence of those aged 50–75 and women (59%).
The identified issues focus on the renewal of volunteers, the prevention of their psychological fatigue, the clarification of boundaries to avoid substituting for paid jobs, coordination with institutions, and responding to new challenges (digital, isolation, health crises, precarities).
Operational contributions: typology, key figures, and 16 BEST proposals
The report proposes a detailed typology of associations (patient and user associations, volunteer support in hospitals/home/palliative care, social and medico-social solidarity associations, medical humanitarian associations), clarifying their missions and their role in health pathways.
It describes the frameworks for intervention (agreements, Charter of volunteer associations in hospitals, approvals, participation in health democracy bodies) and the main missions: prevention, health education, support in institutions or at home, health mediation, rights advocacy, peer support, participation in research and governance.
A quantitative summary (volunteer ETP, number of associations, profiles of volunteers, impact on the health of the volunteers themselves) provides usable benchmarks for local advocacy and project development.
International comparisons (Europe, North America) highlight structuring mechanisms abroad (volunteer coordination units, crisis volunteer reserves, social prescribing, territorial platforms) some of which are transferable to France.
Finally, the BEST collective formulates 16 proposals grouped into two axes: 1) strengthen and recognise the role of associations and volunteers in health (knowledge, recognition, incentives, support for volunteers); 2) adapt the intervention framework to new challenges (mutualisation, recognition of volunteer pathways, territorial coordination, digital mediation, solidarity transport, mental health, crisis preparedness).
The whole constitutes a reference tool for association leaders, public decision-makers, and health institutions wishing to structure local health volunteering policies based on recent data and feedback.
2. Key points of the document
Health volunteering, a humanising and complementary lever to the healthcare system
The report shows that volunteers provide time, listening, social connections, and psychological support to patients, their families, and caregivers, in a logic of complementarity rather than substitution for professionals.
They contribute to humanising health establishments, nursing homes, medico-social structures, and home care services, by improving reception, building trust, and maintaining continuity of connection with the community.
A vast but fragmented associative ecosystem
France has approximately 35,000 to 40,000 associations specifically focused on 'health' and 90,000 to 100,000 social/humanitarian associations, representing nearly 10% of the associative fabric, mostly without employees (83%).
About 1 million volunteers are engaged in the field of health strictly speaking and 2.1 million in the broader health/social/humanitarian scope, which represents approximately 75,000 full-time equivalent volunteers in health.
Diverse missions across the entire health continuum
Volunteers are involved in health prevention and promotion (awareness, screening, local information), support (presence, listening, activities), mediation (access to care, rights, overcoming language or digital barriers), advocacy for user rights, and peer support.
They also contribute to research, the evaluation of pathways, cross-training for volunteers and professionals, and to associative and institutional governance.
Structuring frameworks: health democracy and intervention agreements
The report highlights the role of user and patient associations (France Assos Santé, approval procedures, health democracy, participation in bodies) as well as the importance of the Charter for volunteer associations in hospitals and agreements with establishments.
These frameworks clarify roles, secure interventions, establish principles of complementarity with caregivers, and avoid confusion between volunteer missions and paid positions.
16 proposals for increased recognition and structuring
The BEST collective proposes to enhance knowledge (mapping, surveys), to promote innovative initiatives, to move from a 'tolerated' presence to an organised integration within structures, to remove barriers to engagement, and to better support volunteers.
It also recommends pooling resources, recognising volunteer pathways (Volunteer Passport, ECTS, VAE), sustainably supporting associations, coordinating at the territorial level, developing digital mediation, solidarity transport, mental health initiatives, and volunteer reserves for crises.
3. Action tracks for local actors
Structuring a local diagnosis of volunteering in health
Local authorities, ARS, establishments, and network leaders can use the proposed framework (key figures, types of associations, missions) to conduct a local assessment: who is involved, where, with which audiences, and on what missions.
A mapping of health/social/humanitarian associations, combined with the needs for prevention, support, and access to care, allows for the prioritisation of partnerships and the identification of gaps in volunteer intervention.
Formalise partnerships between establishments and associations
Based on the Charter of Volunteer Associations in Hospitals and examples of agreements, the management of hospitals, care homes, and medico-social structures can clarify volunteer missions, reception procedures, training, shared confidentiality, and links with teams.
This formalisation strengthens the legitimacy of volunteers, secures practices (especially in palliative care, mental health, and home support) and helps to make volunteering visible in establishment and service projects.
Develop mediation systems in health and access to rights
Local stakeholders can rely on the described missions (access to care, combating language and digital barriers, supporting vulnerable populations or those in rural areas) to create or consolidate teams of health mediator volunteers.
These systems can be integrated into the Mon espace santé actions, access to care services, outreach activities, and mobile systems in collaboration with local associations.
Renew and secure volunteer engagement
By addressing the identified challenges (aging profiles, evolving motivations, exposure to difficult situations), local associations can establish structured volunteer pathways: reception, mentoring, initial and ongoing training, speaking time, and prevention of burnout.
The recognition of commitments (Volunteer Passport, recognition in student pathways, VAE bridges) and the opening up to new profiles (young people, peer supporters, volunteer professionals) are levers to be seized by local structures.
Incorporate health volunteering into territorial planning
Local authorities, ARS, territorial conferences, and local health contracts can integrate a 'health volunteering' component inspired by the BEST proposals: support for associative network leaders, inter-associative coordination, territorial hubs for volunteer orientation, crisis preparedness.
This explicit inclusion strengthens the intersectorality of health/social/medico-social and allows for the justification of targeted funding, including for the 'invisible costs' of volunteer facilitation.
4. Additional references
WHO Europe – 'Community engagement for health services strengthening' (2024 report). Frameworks and international examples of community participation and structured volunteering in health systems.https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/community-engagement-for-quality--people-centred-health-services
5. Cross-sectional analysis — Values of Health Practices
Literacy: The document remains very conceptual, without specific tools for simplification for low literacy audiences, but clearly explains the concepts and offers a readable typology of forms of volunteering.
Empowerment: It values the participation of users, patients, and peer supporters, particularly through patient associations and health democracy, but offers few concrete tools to directly strengthen the agency of the beneficiaries themselves.
Participation: Co-construction is addressed through health partnerships, user representation, and the co-construction of pathways with associations, but more at an institutional level than a micro-local one.
Community health: The collective dimension is present through health promotion, local actions, the mobilisation of local communities, and international comparisons focused on community action.
Ethics: The report highlights the necessary complementarity with professionals, the risks of job substitution, confidentiality, and volunteer training, without developing a detailed ethical framework but clearly outlining the issues.
Human rights: The approach is aligned with user rights, the fight against inequalities in access to care, consideration of vulnerable populations, and health democracy, with attention to the principles of equity and inclusion.
Intersectorality: The text emphasises the connections between health, social, and medico-social sectors, as well as the need for territorial coordination and partnerships with local authorities, institutions, associations, and social services.
Partnership: Collaboration models (agreements, charters, representation in bodies, territorial platforms) are described, although ready-to-use tools are not detailed in the body of the text.
Combating discrimination: The document addresses inequalities in access to care (geographical, social, digital, linguistic) and the situation of vulnerable populations, but does not explicitly address discrimination related to gender, sexual orientation, or racism.
6. Evaluation of the reliability of the resource
Scientific relevance: the report draws on recognised statistical sources (INSEE, Recherches & Solidarités, Baromètre France Bénévolat/Ifop, France Assos Santé), data from 2024–2025, international comparisons, and WHO references (definition of health, Ottawa Charter).
It relies on a methodology combining questionnaires, hearings, and feedback from associations, detailed at the end of the document, which enhances transparency.
Operational relevance: the resource is very operational for advocacy and the structuring of local policies, thanks to the typology of actors, key figures, mission descriptions, and the 16 proposals organised into themes.
However, it provides fewer directly ready-to-use tools (practical sheets, checklists) than frameworks for analysis and guidance, which requires a process of appropriation and adaptation by local teams.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who are the health volunteers described in this report?
Health volunteers are individuals who engage freely, without remuneration, in an associative framework, for actions related to prevention, care, support, advocacy for rights, or access to care.
They can be citizens, patients or former patients, family caregivers, active or retired professionals, or even students.
In what types of structures do volunteers operate?
They operate in hospitals, nursing homes, medico-social structures, at people's homes, but also in associative reception places, local prevention venues, or mobile units.
What are the main missions of health volunteers?
The report mentions prevention and health promotion (awareness-raising actions, screening, information), support (presence, listening, activities), mediation for access to care and rights, advocacy for user rights, peer support, and participation in research and evaluation of pathways.
How are volunteers supervised in healthcare establishments?
Their intervention is based on agreements between associations and establishments and on the Charter of Volunteer Associations in Hospitals, which specifies rights, duties, complementarity with caregivers, confidentiality, and coordination methods.
What is the role of patient associations in health democracy?
Patient and user associations, often accredited and federated within France Assos Santé, represent users in health bodies, participate in the development of health policies, and advocate for the rights of sick individuals.
What are the main challenges identified for volunteering in health?
The report highlights the renewal of volunteers, the prevention of burnout and psychological distress, the clarification of intervention scopes to avoid substitution for employment, the need for training, territorial coordination, and responses to new vulnerabilities (precarity, digital divide, crises).
How can local actors draw inspiration from the BEST proposals?
They can use the 16 proposals as a framework to structure local plans: territorial observatories for health volunteering, shared training schemes, recognition of volunteer pathways, orientation hubs, digital mediation, solidarity transport, mental health initiatives, and volunteer reserves for crises.
8. Rewriting in Easy-to-Read Language
Easy-to-Read Title
Health Volunteering in France
Easy-to-Read Summary — Context and Issues
In France, the healthcare system is struggling. There is a shortage of caregivers and many needs.
Elderly people, those with chronic illnesses, and individuals in difficulty need help.
Volunteers are not paid. They give their time to help others.
They listen, talk with patients and their families. They create social connections.
They do not replace healthcare professionals. They complement them.
The report explains who these volunteers are, where they operate, and with whom.
Easy-to-Read Summary — Operational Contributions
The report provides many statistics about associations and volunteers.
It shows the different types of associations: patient support, social, humanitarian.
It explains the missions of volunteers: prevention, support, assistance with rights and care.
It presents examples from other countries to show what works well.
It proposes 16 ideas to better recognise and organise health volunteers.
These ideas serve associations, hospitals, and decision-makers to take action.
Key Points in Easy-to-Read Language
There are many health volunteers.
About 1 million volunteers are active in health in France.
They work with over 35,000 health associations.
They are mainly aged between 50 and 75 and often women.
Volunteers have several missions.
They engage in prevention and provide health information.
They visit sick or isolated individuals and talk with them.
They help understand rights and access to care.
Volunteers work with professionals.
Volunteers sign agreements with hospitals and organisations.
These agreements explain what they can and cannot do.
They respect confidentiality and the role of caregivers.
Patient associations are important.
Patients and their families create associations to support each other.
These associations advocate for the rights of health users.
They participate in health decisions with public authorities.
The report proposes concrete actions.
Better understand volunteers and their actions through studies and maps.
Better train and protect volunteers.
Create a reserve of volunteers for crises and strengthen coordination.