Pathways through Participation is a Big Lottery Fund qualitative research project lead by NCVO in partnership with the Institute for Volunteering Research and Involve. The study ran for two and a half years and the final report has now been published.

The study looked at the ways in which individuals become involved and stay involved in participation over the course of their lives. Focusing on three case study areas (Leeds, Enfield and Suffolk), the research involved in-depth interviews with a range of stakeholders as well as focus groups to discuss earlier research findings. 

The report looked at participation from a broad definition categorising it into social, public and individual participation. The study identified widespread participation with all respondents engaging in some form of participation at some stage in their lives.

The reports three main conclusions were that participation is personal and must be viewed from the perspective of the individual taking part, participation must be encouraged, supported, and made more attractive, and that significant barriers to participation are entrenched.

The final report and a summary of the final report can be read here