Preliminary research suggests a strong link between volunteering and the recovery of people who experience mental illness, a new independent study reveals. (Wednesday 9 August 2006).

Over four-fifths (85%) of participants independently surveyed on the Capital Volunteering project report positive outcomes from getting involved despite the underlying isolation experienced by many within the community.

The ongoing research, being undertaken by the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, canvasses the views of 60 people with a variety of diagnoses including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar (manic depression).

The project’s goals include helping mental health service users to reduce their dependence on hospital-based and crisis services in the future, to develop skills and confidence, and to help them become more socially included. Two-thirds (67%) of the people surveyed are currently unemployed and unable to work due to their mental ill-health.

Researchers interviewed mental health service users from seven out of 11 London boroughs involved with Capital Volunteering (1), an initiative set up by CSV (2), the UK’s largest volunteering charity in partnership with the London Development Centre (3).

Out of the sample of interviewees (5) just under a quarter (23%) report they are benefiting from acquiring new skills and knowledge, 17% report improved confidence while 15% report improvements in meeting and socializing with people.

Claire Helman, Director of Capital Volunteering, said: “The initial results are promising. Although it is too early to track improvements in health and social inclusion, it is hoped that Capital Volunteering will demonstrate how different models of volunteering can help mental health service users in their recovery, including reducing their dependency on hospital-based and crisis mental health services, and helping them to find different vocational routes in life.”

The research also gives an insight into the isolation experienced by a number of mental health service users. A quarter of the people surveyed report that there was no one they could talk to frankly. Of those who feel they can confide in others, most are likely to speak to friends (35%), followed by a spouse or partner (14%) or a mental health professional (12%).

Researchers canvassed the views on what mental health service users hope to gain from including volunteering as part of their recovery. Nearly a third (32%) aspire to improving their chances in the world of work, 33% want to conquer isolation by improving opportunities to socialize while more than one-in-ten hope volunteering will boost self-esteem.

People experiencing mental illness are encouraged to become volunteers through Capital Volunteering. Many use their experience to develop support groups with others experiencing mental health issues or get involved in a range of activities that might include gardening, catering, sports, and music, or volunteering with local community organisations.

Pam has been a mental health service user in Havering for many years and has helped re-build her life through volunteering and befriending other people:

“I experienced severe depression for most of my adult life and was treated with medication, Electro-Convulsive Therapy and spent long periods in hospital. I even attempted suicide on several occasions. As my depression got worse I lost my job, got divorced and felt really isolated.

“When I met the woman I befriended for the first time she told me that she had not been out of her house on her own for several months. Over a period of time we developed a trusting relationship and she began to come shopping with me and eventually was able once again to go out and buy her own food and even enjoy a meal out. Helping her helped me to feel better about myself and gave me an added incentive to overcome my own problems.”

Juliet has experienced very low self-esteem related to her mental health. She participates in a music project in Lambeth and has been active in writing and recording songs:

“When I first started the music project I was very nervous and anxious, because of my illness I had lost my confidence and my ability to do even things I really enjoyed. I had musical ability but had suppressed it for many years. The music project gave me confidence and a positive view of myself and my musical abilities. It has given me something to look forward to each week and a chance to meet new people and work with them on writing new songs.”

Capital Volunteering operates across 11 London boroughs: Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Camden, Islington, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, and Hillingdon.

Further information about Capital Volunteering is at www.capitalvolunteering.org.uk

For further press information or case studies: Jason Tanner/Paul Donohoe, CSV Press Office on 020 7812 0038/37 or 07941 433598.

Notes for editors:

1. The focus of Capital Volunteering is on supporting people who are isolated due to their illness and whose confidence, self-esteem and social networks are undermined due to their experiences of mental ill-health. Through providing this support, the project may also help mental health service users re-gain entry into employment. Capital Volunteering is backed by CSV and the London Development Centre. It received £7.3 million as part of the Treasury’s Invest to Save budget.

2. CSV, the UK’s largest volunteering and training charity 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. www.csv.org.uk

3. The London Development Centre is part of the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) and one of eight regional development centres in England. It aims to support service improvement of care services in London and help ensure better outcomes for children and families, adults and older people, including those with mental health needs, physical disability or learning disabilities and people in the criminal justice system. www.londondevelopmentcentre.org

4. The Institute of Psychiatry was established in 1948 as a postgraduate research and teaching institution devoted to those sciences key to the understanding and treatment of mental disorders. Its role in the UK is unique. In 1997 it became a school of King’s College London. www.iop.kcl.ac.uk

5. 60 mental health service users took part in the research. Around half (45%) are part of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) which was introduced in the 1990s for people with more severe forms of mental illness

6. There are more than 26,000 admissions to psychiatric hospitals in London every year with 21.7% admissions due to depression and anxiety, 34.5% due to schizophrenia and related psychoses and 21.9% related to substance misuse.