A fund of £26m (US$33m, €30.8m) has been set aside by Sport England to “revolutionise” volunteering over the next four years.

The money will go towards encouraging a new batch of volunteers in the sport and physical activity sector, and to support the 5.6m people who already give up their time to help out.

Funding will be spread out between 2017 and 2021. In 2017, Sport England will create a £3m (US$3.8m, €3.6m) Opportunity Fund, which will focus on reaching people in disadvantaged communities.

“There are huge gains to be made by encouraging more volunteers in these areas because of the dual benefit for the individual and community,” said the Volunteering in an Active Nation strategy.

“We want to mobilise a force that can contribute at many levels – personal, social and economic – and be the catalyst for transformation of their neighbourhood.”

A further £3m will be invested over the next 12 months in a Potentials Fund, which is aimed at getting people aged between 10 and 20 involved in volunteering.

In addition, another £3m will go towards supporting club administrators, and making sure those already taking part feel “encouraged and valued”.

Full details of who can apply for the funds will be published in January 2017. Awards will be made in June 2017.