CSV Make a Difference Day, which is supported by Barclays Community Investment Programme, is the UK's largest day of 'hands on' volunteering and takes place the two weeks either side of Saturday 29th October 2005. Around 100,000 people are expected to take part in activities, giving time instead of money to improve their communities.

A recent ICM poll, commissioned by CSV and Barclays, reveals that the British public feel their communities are plagued by yob culture, binge drinking and dog mess. The National Crime and Grime Survey (1) reveals that:

• 63% want street crime reduced
• 55% want binge drinking reduced
• 65% want to see litter cleaned up
• 54% want to see dog mess cleaned up
• 54% want to see yob culture tackled

The feelings of the general British public seem to be mirrored by some of the UK's leading celebrities.

'What really annoys me is people who drop chewing gum on streets. It looks disgusting and isn't biodegradable so it's bad for the environment.'
Sian Lloyd, meteorologist and TV presenter

'Vandalism and litter annoys me. They show disrespect for the community and its surroundings. They send out a message that says lets ruin things for everyone. It's not fair a few people can cause so much despair.'
Eamon Holmes, TV presenter

'If I could change something about my local community it would be the number of cars parked along residential roads. They clog them up, making it impossible for vehicles to pass each other. Having cars parked bumper to bumper also makes it really difficult for mothers in with prams to cross the road safely.'
Pete Waterman, pop music guru

'If there is one thing that I could change it's people who drop litter in the street.....especially chewing gum on the pavements.'
Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic multi gold medalist

'I hate it when people drop rubbish and expect someone else to pick it up. I think it's symptomatic of what people feel about the environment and people should take responsibility for themselves and their own litter, and take pride in their environment.'
Oliver Heath, BBC's Changing Rooms presenter

'If I could change one thing it would be to stop people throwing rubbish out of cars. Surely, it is not too much to ask for them to take it home and put it into a bin when they get to their destination'.
Cheryl Baker, Eurovision Song Contest winner and TV presenter

'If I could change one thing about my community it would be to encourage people to smile more - more smiling means encouraging more communication and a sense of belonging.'
Gladeana McMahon, star of ITV1's Dial-a-Mum and life coach to the stars

"People from all walks of life are discontented with the state of their local communities," said Anna Gilmour, CSV Make a Difference Day Campaign Co-ordinator. "But they are not powerless to make changes. Through volunteering they can get involved and make a difference. For example someone concerned about street crime could become a special constable or a mentor for a young person at risk of offending, while those with rubbish could organise a litter pick, and someone concerned with traffic could organise a walk-to-work scheme - the possibilities are endless."

CSV Make a Difference Day is a flagship event during the Year of the Volunteer and is an opportunity for people to try volunteering to see if they enjoy it. It is the biggest single day of volunteering, with around 100,000 people taking part in activities the two weeks either side of Saturday 29th October 2005. To find out more call FREEPHONE 0800 284533 or visit the website - www.csv.org.uk/difference

ENDS

Further press information contact: Esther Freeman or Olivia Ware, CSV Make a Difference Day Press Office on 020 7812 0035/39. Email: efreeman@csv.org.uk or oware@csv.org.uk. Out of office hours call 07981 591150.

Latest press releases: www.csv.org.uk/press

Notes for editors

1. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1001 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 30-31 August. Participants were asked to rank the top three things they'd like to change regarding crime and the environment and the survey reveals the consolidated results. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmreseach.co.uk

2. CSV Make a Difference Day takes place on Saturday 29 October 2005, and activities take part a week either side. Nearly 100,000 people are expected to give time rather than money to improve their local community. The campaign is organised by CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and supported by Barclays community investment programme and the Home Office Active Communities Directorate.

3. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK's leading volunteering and training 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 164,000 people give 4.1 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV.

4. Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office. To find out more about events and activities during the Year of the Volunteer 2005, please visit the official website at www.yearofthevolunteer.org

5. 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 Spaces for Sports.

6. "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 Chairman.

7. Over 20,000 Barclays employees from around the world took part in community activities in 2004. Over 11,500 Barclays employees took part in Make a Difference Day activities alone, including staff in Africa and Spain. Volunteering projects ranged from mentoring, clearing beaches to gardening, painting and decorating.

8. 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 2004 the bank continued to be one of the UK's top corporate contributors, making a global commitment of £31.9m and one in three Barclays employees volunteered for their local communities.

9. For further information on Barclays community activity, please see corporate responsibility at http://www.barclays.com. Media enquiries contact: Sarah Davis, Sponsorship PR Manager, Barclays PLC on 020 7116 6095.