Research on voluntary organisations concerned with health and social care is first and foremost related to what is commonly called voluntary social work. The term is partly a continuation of the social work field's professional definition of social care, and partly a general term for unpaid work for vulnerable people. A significant proportion of the research deals with the voluntary work done within the welfare policy field.

Other relevant literature on this topic can also be found under 'Volunteerism' and 'Self-organsisation'.