A 2002 FA report recognised that over 96 million hours of volunteer time are given each year to football. Amateur and youth football clubs can use CSV Make a Difference Day to attract more volunteers to help coach teams and assist the organisation.

Sir Trevor Brooking, ex-England star and FA Director of Football Development said: "Volunteers are the backbone of sport and in particular football. CSV Make a Difference Day is a fantastic opportunity for our grassroots clubs, particularly our Charter Standard clubs, to play their part in the community and attract new volunteers".

Organised by the UK's largest volunteering charity CSV and supported by Barclays community investment programme, CSV Make a Difference Day is now the UK's biggest day of 'hands-on' volunteering. Nearly 100,000 people nationwide will give time rather than their money on the day, to improve their local communities. Activities range from giving blood and holding sport sessions for disabled people, to turning waste ground into parks, teaching sign language and brightening up community clubhouses.

Last year, thousand of volunteers used football as a way of tackling a myriad of social issues including racism and social inclusion and encouraging disabled people and young people from deprived backgrounds to participate more fully in their communities.

Elizabeth Salter, Campaign Manager for CSV Make a Difference Day said: "We are delighted to be working with the FA and appreciate the impact volunteers have in encouraging children to take up football and guaranteeing a bright future for the 'beautiful game'".

From CSV Make a Difference Day 2003:

  • Volunteers from Arsenal Football Club met with young people in the community, who speak English as an additional language, for a kickabout and language exchange, to develop an appreciation of other cultures.
  • More than 20 volunteers from Kent redecorated the dilapidated clubhouse of Tonbridge Invicta Junior football club, which provides training and coaching for 6 - 18 year olds.
  • Liverpool FC organised football coaching and a tour of Anfield stadium for children and adults with learning difficulties.
  • Preston North End FC held an anti-racism day promoting tolerance of cultural diversity amongst its fans. The anti-racist message was emphasised during the half-time of an official game.
  • Millwall FC organised a Power Wheelchair Football training session for disabled volunteers on CSV Make a Difference Day. Millwall also gave match tickets to those involved.
  • Rotherham United FC held a Saturday morning training session for disadvantaged children from the local area and invited them to watch the afternoon game.

Find out more about CSV Make a Difference Day and register your activity at www.csv.org.uk/difference or call FREEPHONE 0800 284 533.

Every person who registers an activity gets a free Action Pack, containing items to help make it a success, including a badge, a pen, stickers, balloons, posters, thank you certificates and lots more. Group activity organisers also get a t-shirt and advice on how to promote their activity.

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. "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.

5. 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.

6. 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.