Jack McConnell said: "Volunteering is central to our vision of a Scotland with a stronger sense of 'society'. I want volunteers to be welcomed and valued wherever they make a contribution, and more people to be encouraged to volunteer."

A recent study commissioned by CSV showed that 76 per cent of Scots said that volunteering helped them combat stress, while 44 per cent said it made them less depressed.

Around five million UK adults suffer from work-related stress and the problem costs society an estimated £3.7bn a year, according to research by the Health and safety Executive. But the CSV study showed that 20 per cent of Scots said that they took less time off work after getting involved in volunteering.

Organised by the UK's largest volunteering charity CSV and supported by Barclays, CSV Make a Difference Day asks people to give time, rather than their money, for one day and improve their local community.

Participants are aged between 2 and 102 and activities range from walking an elderly neighbour's dog, collecting toys for a charity shop, planting trees, or renovating a homeless shelter - anything which has a direct positive impact on local communities.

The majority of MSPs have already offered their support for CSV Make a Difference Day and many are seeking to take part in activities on the day itself.

Jack McConnell said: "Volunteering contributes to our communities, our society and our way of life. It enhances the quality of living for so many people who benefit directly from the generosity of others. But, it also instils an incredible sense of achievement in and broadens the horizons of the many thousands of individuals who freely give their time and effort."

Planned activities in Scotland for 2004 so far include:

• The Voluntary Issues Unit of the Scottish Executive is becoming a hire squad for the day in conjunction with CSV Edinburgh and Radio Forth. CSV Action desk has a daily spot on Radio Forth and will be broadcasting the event. Local voluntary organisations will phone in and request visits on the day: the most worthy cause wins the services of all 50 VIU volunteers. (Contact: Ian Flemming 0131 244 5464)

• Riding for the Disabled, a charity that gives disabled people the opportunity to ride horses in Summerston Glasgow. It takes three volunteers to lead a horse ridden by a disabled person and the charity is looking for volunteers to help do this, as well as to muck out the stables. Companies are also needed to help in the laying of specialist tracks necessary for the horses. (Contact: Angela Parker 0141 204 1681)

• Members of Volunteer Centre North Ayrshire are planning to create a sensory garden for children who have learning or mobility disabilities from James McFarlane School. They hope to transform an area of the school into a place that both the children and staff are able to enjoy. The event is open to the public. (Contact: Ann Wilson 01294 471 876)

• CSV Media Clyde Action has teamed up with Glasgow City Council to get volunteers to put up 100 bird boxes and encourage nesting in the city. Parents and children are invited to come along for a fun day out and help put up the bird boxes in 5 parks city-wide. (Contact: Angela Parker 0141 204 1681)

• Librarians from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire have organised a fun afternoon with a local group of around 20 people who are all recovering from stress. North Lanarkshire Council have organised transport to bring members of the group to Bellshill Cultural Centre where they will be entertained with quizzes, book bingo as well as being given the chance to eat some home baked food. (Contact: Elizabeth Laird 01236 434 847)

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. According to research by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), about half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill; up to 5 million people in the UK feel "very" or "extremely" stressed by their work; and work-related stress costs society about £3.7 billion every year (at 1995/6 prices).

2. CSV Make a Difference Day is organised by CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and supported by Barclays community investment programme, the Big Lottery Fund and the Home Office Active Communities Directorate.

3. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK's leading volunteering organisation and creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 129,000 people give 3.8 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV.

4. Barclays PLC actively encourages employee involvement through its Employee Volunteering grant giving, Volunteer 2day time giving and £ for £ match-funding schemes, as well as encouraging the wider public to do the same through supporting flagship projects such as CSV Make a Difference Day and Barclays SiteSavers.

5. "We actively encourage our employees to give their time and effort to local charities, urban regeneration, fundraising and all forms of volunteering. We are proud of their efforts and not a little humbled by them." Matt Barrett, Group Chief Executive.

6. Around 20,000 Barclays employees from around the world took part in community activities in 2003. Nearly 7,500 Barclays employees took part in Make a Difference Day activities alone, including staff in Africa and Spain. Volunteering projects ranged from mentoring, clearing beaches, serving meals in hostels for homeless people to gardening, painting and decorating.

7. Barclays takes its social and environmental responsibilities seriously, supporting social and financial inclusion both nationally and at grass roots level to make a real and lasting difference to the community. In 2003 the bank continued to be one of the UK's top corporate contributors, making a global commitment of £32.8m and one in four Barclays employees volunteered for their local communities.

For further information see social responsibility at http://www.barclays.com

Media enquiries contact: Sarah Davis, Sponsorship PR Manager, Barclays PLC on 020 7699 4114.