UK Ready To Volunteer

Over 190 of the UK population are willing to give at least a day of their time a year to help their favourite charity, according to MORI poll figures released today. The results, released to co-incide with Make a Difference Day (MADD) Britain's single biggest day of volunteering, reveal that although 77% of people are willing to give up some of their time to help a charity only 25% currently volunteer.

"These figures make encouraging reading", said Lord Levy one of Britain's most successful fundraisers, and President of CSV (Community Service Volunteers) the charity behind MADD.

"Not everyone can give money to a good cause, but what many people don't realise is that the most valuable thing they have to give is their time. Volunteering is the glue that holds society together. This poll shows the enormous potential that exists to extend volunteering. Make a Difference Day is all about unleashing some of that potential."

The poll also found that awareness of the value of volunteering was highest among young people. Under 35s rated giving time as a more worthwhile contribution to charity than giving money, unlike older respondents.

Among the other findings of the poll were:

• Only 3% expressed 'no interest' in volunteering.
• 7 out of 10 people recognised that giving time to charity was worthwhile.
• Almost 1 in 5 people cited lack of information and 'never been asked' as reasons why they did not currently volunteer.
• The major barriers to volunteering cited were lack of time or work and family commitments, yet the same survey showed that the majority would be prepared to volunteer one day a year for a good cause.

Lord Levy commented:

"What stands out clearly from these results is the enormous willingness that exists to volunteer especially among young people.

"The challenge for the future is to find flexible models of volunteering that enable people to contribute to their community in ways that fit in with the other demands on their time. That means more employee volunteering, more part-time locally based volunteering and more one off opportunities for people to get involved - like Make a Difference Day."

• This years event enjoys the support of a range of celebrities including: Mariella Fostrup, Richard Dreyfuss, Davina McCall and Tony Blair. Photos, syndicated tape and broadcast footage are available.
• CSV is the UK's leading volunteer organisation and creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action.
• Make a Difference Day began in the UK 1996 and has grown into the largest single day of volunteering in the UK. Last year, tens of thousands affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of people to help support the day.

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