- WINNERS ANNOUNCED -

Local people who have supported victims of homophobic crime and tackled depression and suicide amongst young people are celebrating after winning a CSV Make a Difference Day 2005 award (Thursday 23rd March 2006)

These real life heroes all helped to change the lives of others in just one day by taking part in CSV Make a Difference Day 2005, the UK’s single biggest day of volunteering. Last year 114,000 people took part in activities across the UK. Some of the most outstanding activities were honoured at the CSV Make a Difference Day Awards, which are sponsored by Barclays Community Investment Programme. Awards were presented by celebrities and government figures, including pop mogul, Pete Waterman, ITV weather presenter, Sian Lloyd, Lembit Opik MP, BBC Ground Force’s Kirsty King, journalist and broadcaster, Vanessa Feltz, and ITV TV agony aunt, Denise Robertson.

CSV Ambassador Pete Waterman said: “It never ceases to amaze me how gratifying it is to help others and how thankful they are. People who volunteer love it and want to do it again and again. So why not join them and make a real difference?”

Winners include:

Tackling homophobic crime: Most Inclusive Activity – Lancashire Constabulary

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender (LGBT) community who have been victims of crime often fail to report it for fear of re-victimisation. In Blackpool, the Lancashire Police have been working hard to try to breakdown these barriers, improve trust and enable victims to get the support they need. For CSV Make a Difference Day 2005 they launched a homophobic incident reporting line and issued free personal attack alarms in areas know to be hotspots for homophobic crime. Police officers also volunteered their time at a local LGBT club to promote positive relationships between police and the LGBT community.

Working in prisons: Most Heart-Warming Activity, sponsored by BUPA – Muslim Youth Helpline

This year Eid co-incided with CSV Make a Difference Day and volunteers at the Muslim Youth Helpline decided they wanted to do something a bit different. So they prepared gift boxes to send to young Muslims spending the festival in prison. Inside the boxes were sweets and chocolates, a copy of the Qur’an, a journal to record their thoughts, and information on where to get help upon their release. The aim was to send a message to those on the inside that they were not alone. The simple but powerful idea they hoped would ease loneliness, depression and even prevent suicide and re-offending.

Remembering war heroes: Most Exceptional Youth, sponsored by BSkyB  – Respond Community Matters and Greenwich Volunteer Police Cadets

Last year being the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II was a fitting time for Respond Community Matters and Greenwich Volunteer Police Cadets to do something to remember the men and women who have given their lives for their country. Dispelling the myth that young people aren’t interested, the groups came together to build a memorial garden for the Abbey Wood branch of the British Legion.
 
Tackling ‘yob’ behaviour: Best CSV Activity – CSV Action Desk in Gloucestershire

A run down pavilion in a crime ridden part of town was transformed from a focus of yob behaviour to a centre for youth development in just one day. Over 120 people from across Cheltenham’s Springbank community came together with local agencies and businesses to rejuvenate the dilapidated pavilion, transforming it into a resource centre.  It now provides a welcoming and inspiring space for local projects, including youth groups and children’s parties. 

Access to Eden: Most Innovative – The Sensory Trust

A group of disabled students had the chance to take an active part in the development of access at the Eden Project, increasing the enjoyment for all disabled visitors. Fourteen students from six schools in the St Austell area combined forces with the Sensory Trust, Devon & Cornwall Police, and Cornwall Children’s Fund. The volunteers surveyed the facilities and identified ways to increase accessibility.

Focus on phones: Most Outstanding National Partner – Air Cadets 1211

Collecting old mobile phones and spectacles were amongst the many activities that 1211 Swadlincote Squadron ATC staff and cadets organised for CSV Make a Difference Day 2005. Their innovation, energy and enthusiasm ensured that all of their volunteering was not only fun but valuable and engaging for the local community. 

Creating ‘a sensation’: Best Employee Team, sponsored by KPMG  – EDS Credit Services

Children with severe learning difficulties can find enjoyment in three new sensory courtyards thanks to EDS Credit Services. The courtyards, which were built at Redway School, aim to stimulate all five senses: smell from the flowers; touch from the textures of the flowers and foliage; sounds from the water feature and gravel paths; sight from the contrasting colours of foliage; and taste from vegetables and herbs. The team intended to maintain the relationship, returning in the spring to maintain the site.

Wildlife paradise: Best School, sponsored by Disney – Roy Bridge Primary School

A small village in the Scottish Highlands was transformed into a haven for birds, insects and other wildlife when a group of 27 school children developed a wasteland into a wildlife garden. The activity took many months preparation and the children worked alongside volunteers from the community to plant a variety or shrubs and flowers which encourage growth of different species of animals and insects.

Safe play: Best Barclays UK Activity – Vale & Coast of Clwyd Jigsaw Team, North Wales

Children, who had been victims of domestic violence, were left with no where safe to play when a garden next to their sheltered housing had turned into wasteland and become over-run with litter. Then Barclays stepped in. Fourteen colleagues cleared the ground, built and painted fences, and dug and planted a fresh garden. The team have organised a sub-group to tend to the garden in the future.

Best Barclays UK collaboration – Barclays/Keep Wales Tidy Make a Difference Twinning Project

Barclays colleagues across Wales coordinated their CSV Make a Difference Day efforts in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy. Thirteen large scale events took place around the country, involving 223 Barclays employees, working with a range of community groups, schools and local residents. Activities included litter-picking and clearing fly-tipping sites, clearing overgrown vegetation and paths, and laying hedges.

This year’s CSV Make a Difference Day takes place on Saturday 28th October 2006. To find out more about CSV Make a Difference Day go to www.csv.org.uk/difference and for other year round volunteering opportunities visit www.csv.org.uk .


Further press information: Esther Freeman, CSV Make a Difference Day Press Office on 020 7812 0035 or email: efreeman@csv.org.uk  Out of office hours: 07981 591150
Latest press releases: www.csv.org.uk/press

Notes for editors

1. CSV Make a Difference Day takes place on Saturday 28 October 2006, and activities take part a week either side. Over 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.

2. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 195,000 people give 4.9 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 11,500 people of all ages.

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 Spaces for Sports. 

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 Chairman.

5. Over 26,000 Barclays employees from around the world took part in community activities in 2005.  Nearly 10,000 Barclays employees took part in Make a Difference Day activities alone, including staff in Africa and Europe and the US. Volunteering projects ranged from mentoring, clearing beaches 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 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.

7. For further information see social responsibility at http://www.barclays.com. Media enquiries contact: Michael O’Toole, Barclays PLC on 0207 116 6137.