I've also wondered why there aren't more people participating in those sorts of community service activities spontaneously - clearly it is difficult being unemployed, but surely doing something of value is more rewarding than watching television?
Mostly because the unemployment system compels you to prove you're looking for work, and volunteering throws up a red flag saying, "I'm not looking for work, I'm dilly-dallying around volunteering for arts groups and children's scouting, ahahaha!"
I've also wondered why there aren't more people participating in those sorts of community service activities spontaneously - clearly it is difficult being unemployed, but surely doing something of value is more rewarding than watching television?