Britain’s happiness levels exposed

New research commissioned by the CSV Make a Difference Day campaign reveals the current state of the nation’s happiness with up to 88% of adults feeling less happy than when the recession started. (Tuesday 29th September 2009).
 
The independent research, undertaken by ICM (1), shows that only 12% of the population feels happier now than when the economic crisis began, falling to 9% in London and the South East. (Further regional information is available on request).

The findings, which probe the perceptions of more than 2000 people across Britain asks the population which activities are most likely to make them feel happier. The results of Make a Difference Day’s Great British Happiness Survey reveals:

• 88% of adults are feeling less happy or the same level of happiness than when the recession started

• More than half the population (55%) feel happier when they help a neighbour or friend with a problem, rising to 67% for the over 65s

• 53% feel happier when the streets and parks around them are clean, peaking at 60% for people living in cities such as Nottingham in the East Midlands

• Just under a half of the population feel happier when they have: undertaken some form of physical activity (45%); seen a reduction in crime levels locally (43%) or when they simply sit back to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee (42%)

•  More than a third (37%) report an improvement in their mood when they do something to help the environment or wildlife

• Just under a third (32%) feel happier when getting to meet new friends, with this rising to 48% amongst 18-24 year olds

• A quarter of the population feel happier when they are gardening (29%) or shopping (25%). Shopping was highest amongst 18-34 year olds (38%)

The research comes in the build-up to CSV Make a Difference Day, which is the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 31st October. The campaign is looking to demonstrate how giving time through volunteering can lift the nation’s spirit when times are tough.

Commenting about the results, psychologist and broadcaster, Gladeana McMahon, said: “Over half of all people say that volunteering to help others makes them feel happier. It's clear that keeping physically and mentally active can often improve your state of mind. There’s also a lot of fun to be had that is likely to put a smile back on your face.”

Pete Waterman, one of CSV Make a Difference Day’s ambassadors said: “The feel good factor from giving time to benefit a cause or other people can be infectious. The effect can be caused by something as simple as a ‘random act of kindness’ such as baking a cake for an elderly neighbour or picking up litter on your street through to building shelters for wildlife or having a tea and chat with a homeless person.”

Alison Medlicott, 33 from Christchurch in Dorset volunteered with CSV as part of a gap year helping homeless people in Blackburn. She is about to volunteer to help young people in the area where she lives. Alison said: “Volunteering gives you a different perspective on your own life, especially when you encounter people with much bigger problems than yourself. Once you’ve tried volunteering you start to get the bug and you want to do more. It’s definitely something that enhances your life and makes it more fulfilled.”

All of the activities that make people happier can be linked to volunteering. This year the campaign will encourage people to bake brownies to cheer up isolated neighbours or help with shopping for people who are housebound.

The campaign is also encouraging the nation to undertake Random Acts of Kindness from offering a seat to a stranger on a bus through to ‘guerrilla gardening’ when volunteers could plant wildflower seeds in derelict places to benefit bumblebees.

This year, anyone concerned about improving the environment can register to receive a free ‘How to’ guide to build homes for endangered hedgehogs. Many thousands of volunteers will also spend time planting bulbs to brighten up their neighbourhoods in readiness for spring.

Key regional trends include:

• Any increase in happiness since the start of the recession is most marked in the South West and North East which has seen a 17% increase compared to London where the rise is only 9% and where up to 91% of the population may be less happy

• Making new friendships is most important for happiness to someone living in London (38% of the population) than in East Anglia where the proportion is the lowest and drops to under a third (27%)

• Londoners are the most likely part of the population to feel happier when they have been physically active (Over half – 52%) compared to the North East which is lowest in this category (less than a third – 31%).

• The East Midlands is the region most likely to feel happier when helping a friend or neighbour with a problem (59%) and also when the streets and parks around the population are clean (60%).

• Reduced crime levels are most likely to make the people of both Yorkshire & Humberside and the North West feel happier (47%) compared to Wales where a reduction in crime has the least effect at 35% of the population.

• Areas of the West Midlands such as Birmingham, get most happiness than the rest of the country from enjoying a cup of coffee (nearly half  - 49%) than the people of Scotland (just over a third – 36%).

This latest research builds on earlier research commissioned by Make a Difference Day about the positive impact of volunteering which reveals that:

• Nearly half of all volunteers (47%) say volunteering improves their physical fitness

• A Quarter (25%) who volunteer more than five times a year say it helps them lose weight

• Half of people (48%) who have volunteered for more than two years say volunteering makes them less depressed.

•  Up to 63% of people say volunteering helps them feel less stressed.

• Up to 17% of volunteers say it improves their sex lives

CSV Make a Difference Day is on Saturday 31 October 2009, with activities taking place a week either side. To find out more visit www.csv.org.uk/difference  or call FREEPHONE 0800 284 533 or email difference@csv.org.uk

For further press information or to receive a full regional break down of results: Melissa Goss on 020 7812 0037/ 07725808052 or Jason Tanner on 020 7812 0039 / 07941 433598

Notes for editors

1. The Great British Happiness Survey was commissioned by CSV Make a Difference Day and conducted by ICM. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2045 adults aged 18+ in GB from its online panel between 28th-31st August 2009. Surveys 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.icmresearch.co.uk

2. CSV Make a Difference Day takes place on Saturday 31 October 2009 and activities take part a week either side. Over half a million people have taken part since the launch of CSV Make a Difference Day in 1996, and thousands more are expected to give time rather than money to improve their local community this year. The campaign is organised by CSV (Community Service Volunteers).

3. CSV creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action.