Iain Duncan Smith MP joined forces with more than 80 other MPs to take the pledge to encourage people throughout their constituencies to give time to benefit their local communities in the build up to CSV Make a Difference Day, the biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 29 October 2011, and were joined by pop mogul Pete Waterman and BBC Radio Five Live presenter Rachel Burden.

From left to right: Pete Waterman, Iain Duncan-Smith MP, and Rachel Burden pledge support for CSV Make a Difference Day, as have over 80 other MPs.

Pete Waterman and Rachel Burden have given MPs across the nation a ‘pledge kit’ with a host of ideas to benefit others, such as writing letters and drawing pictures to sick children in hospitals, baking a Chocolate Fridge Cake to donate to a lonely neighbour, homeless shelter or nursing home, planting a mini meadow in a local park to attract wildlife or even knitting blankets for lonely pets in shelters.

CSV Make a Difference Day ambassador, Pete Waterman, says “Rachel and I are encouraging MPs and people of all ages to take part in CSV Make a Difference Day to combat feelings of isolation, loneliness and anxiety, as well as making local communities a happier, more welcoming place.

“Get to know your neighbours, make friends, get fit and transform the place where you live into a beautiful haven. Lift community spirits by organising a garden makeover, Halloween street party or bingo evening at a homeless shelter, nursing home or hospital ward. Even simple changes like reporting faulty street lights can have a positive impact in strengthening communities.”

CSV Make a Difference Day, is the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 29 October 2011 with events taking place a week either side. This year the focus is isolation and loneliness. The campaign is looking to demonstrate how giving time through volunteering with friends, family and neighbours and being an active member of the community can make people feel less lonely, anxious and isolated.

CSV is giving away free inspirational ideas on how you can combat isolation and loneliness to create a happier, stronger and safer community:

• ‘How-to make a chocolatey difference’ a special Chocolate Fridge Cake recipe by Chef, Sam Stern
• ‘How-to volunteer to combat loneliness’
• ‘How-to write a difference’ for very sick children in hospitals
• ‘How-to get online’ for people who have never used the internet
• ‘How-to combat community isolation’
• ‘How-to knit an animal blanket’ (because pets get lonely too!)

The campaign is looking to empower lonely and isolated people as well as individuals and groups to volunteer this year. New independent research shows that nearly a third of young people are currently more anxious about their future since the onset of recession, while 1 in 10 of the population report anxiety following the summer riots.

To find out more about volunteering on CSV Make a Difference Day, call us on FREEPHONE 0800 284 533 or email difference@csv.org.uk or go online at www.csv.org.uk/difference.

Ends

For further press information call: Francesca Toma on 020 7812 0037/ 07966 168686 or Jason Tanner on 020 7812 0038 / 07941 433598

Notes for Editors:
CSV Make a Difference Day takes place on Saturday 29 October 2011 and activities take part a week either side. Over three quarters of 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).

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