CONTACT US
Find out why becoming a volunteer could make you a happier person
Just 12% of people in Britain feel happier with their lives since the recession began, according to a survey published today.
An ICM poll found just over one in 10 of those questioned felt happier in the current economic climate, with 88% feeling either less happy or the same.
The results emerged from the Great British Happiness Survey, which was commissioned by CSV (Community Service Volunteers) to promote its Make a Difference Day on Saturday October 31, which aims to promote volunteering in the community.
The survey of 2,000 people revealed more than half (55%) feel happier when they help a neighbour or friend with a problem. This figure rises to 67% for the over-65s.
Other findings included:
- 53% feel happier when the streets and parks around them are clean.
- 45% feel happier when they have undertaken some form of physical activity.
- 37% report an improvement in their mood when they do something to help the environment or wildlife.
- 32% feel happier when getting to meet new friends.
- 29% feel happier when they are gardening.
- 25% feel happier when they are shopping.
CSV Make a Difference Day is the UK's biggest single day of volunteering. This year the campaign will encourage people to bake brownies to cheer up isolated neighbours or help with shopping for people who are housebound.
It is also encouraging the nation to undertake random acts of kindness, from offering a seat to a stranger on a bus through to "guerrilla gardening" - when volunteers could plant wildflower seeds in derelict places to benefit bees.
Record producer Pete Waterman, one of CSV Make a Difference Day's ambassadors, said: "The feel-good factor from giving time to benefit a cause or other people can be infectious.
"The effect can be caused by something as simple as a random act of kindness, such as baking a cake for an elderly neighbour or picking up litter on your street, through to building shelters for wildlife or having a tea and chat with a homeless person."
According to CSV, previous research has shown:
- Nearly half of all volunteers (47%) say volunteering improves their physical fitness
- A quarter (25%) who volunteer more than five times a year say it helps them lose weight
- Half of people (48%) who have volunteered for more than two years say volunteering makes them less depressed
- Up to 63% of people say volunteering helps them feel less stressed
- Up to 17% of volunteers say it improves their sex lives
