The nation will be encouraged to help lonely and isolated people in local communities throughout the UK this year as part of CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 29 October. Last year 70,000 people took part.

A third of people live on their own and one million people who are over 65 are lonely and cut off from their community. Loneliness and isolation can touch the lives of many including: bullied young children, refugees, single parents, widows, divorcees, ex-prisoners, young people in foster homes, people with mental health problems or learning disabilities, people who are deaf or blind, homeless people, people with drug or alcohol addictions, people who have suffered bereavements, LGBT people, unemployed people, night workers, university students, and even pets in shelters.

The campaign is backed by high profile supporters including former police chief, Brian Paddick, pop mogul Pete Waterman, and young celebrity chef Sam Stern.

Many ways of tackling loneliness are reliant on volunteers giving their time and care. This year, CSV Make a Difference Day offers free inspirational “How-to” guides for top tips on how to give time to lonely and isolated people:

How-to combat community isolation offers a variety of ways on how to make your neighbourhood a safer, less isolating and happier place. Research shows that most British residents wouldn’t recognise their next door neighbour if they passed them on the street and 70% don’t know their names. This guide is produced with the backing of the Action for Happiness campaign and Brian Paddick. Ideas include:

Community centres are often hubs for local action, but a lick of paint or a mini makeover can really benefit community spirit. Alternatively, report a faulty street light to your council, especially if it’s in a dark area to create a less hostile and safer atmosphere.

Rejuvenating an area of disused land to create a community garden with flowers and plants will brighten up your local area. Organise a street party with a Halloween theme and get to know all your next door neighbours. Making a small change for the better really does make a difference; you will see the positive impact it can have on people’s lives.

How-to volunteer to end loneliness offers volunteering ideas to reduce the loneliness of people in their local neighbourhood. Perhaps there is someone on your street that is lonely and would benefit from a friendly face, or you could show them how to use the internet to email their friends and family?

Often the best way of connecting with others is through a shared interest, you can play a sport together, attend a book club in the local library or start a coffee morning with your neighbours. It’s a great way of meeting others to put the sparkle back in your own social life.

Former Police Chief, Brian Paddick, says “My experience of community policing showed me that improving your neighbourhood environment and getting to know your neighbours are two key steps to creating safer, less isolating communities.”

“Activities from reporting faulty street lights to creating community gardens or helping isolated neighbours all make a huge difference to the lives of others. Take part in CSV Make a Difference Day this year and make where you live a happier, more welcoming place!”

Other How-to guides due to be launched, include:

How-to make a chocolatey difference challenges the nation to make a Chocolate Fridge Cake by up-coming young Chef, Sam Stern to donate to a lonely or isolated person. Divine Chocolate is giving away 1000 bars to use for this special recipe – claim your chocolate bar now!

How-to knit an animal blanket because cats and dogs get lonely too! Calling all animal lovers to knit a blanket to add comfort to the life of a cat or dog in an animal shelter. When they find a new home, they can take the blanket with them to help in the transition to an unfamiliar environment.

How-to write a difference for seriously ill children in hospitals. CSV Make a Difference Day have teamed up with PostPals; a charity dedicated to provide letters and gifts for very sick children to make them smile. Writing a letter is a simple and effective way to connect with people who may feel isolated in your community or around the world.

How-to get online to enable the 9 million people in the UK that have never used the internet to go on a computer. Be a ‘Digital Champion’ and spend an hour with an elderly neighbour or someone from a disadvantaged home to help them access emails, blogs, social network sites and community groups to combat their isolation and loneliness. This compliments the drive by the UK’s digital champion, Martha Lane Fox.

Simon Tiller, Campaign Manager for CSV Make a Difference Day, says: “There is a common misconception that only older people are lonely, however in reality many others are lonely and isolated too. Work pressures, money or relationship problems, moving to a new job, city or country are all factors in making someone feel isolated from their community. CSV Make a Difference Day is urging the nation to get to know their neighbours to combat isolation and loneliness to create a happier, safer community. Volunteering in your local area is empowering, inspiring and can make you feel more confident, it can improve your health and relieves symptoms of depression – it’s also a lot of fun too!”

Research commissioned by Make a Difference Day about the positive impact of volunteering reveals that:

•    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

•    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!

This year's CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's biggest single day of volunteering, is on Saturday 29th October with events taking place from 22nd October to 6th November.  Each year tens of thousands of people take part in the campaign to benefit the community. The nation: plants thousands of flowers in community gardens, cemeteries and school playgrounds; helps out in local charity shop: knits hats and gloves for premature babies and visits lonely people in nursing homes, homeless shelters and hospitals – to give a few examples.

CSV Make a Difference Day is on Saturday 29 October 2011, with activities taking place a week either side. Project Organisers can register their event on the CSV Make a Difference Day website to encourage more people to attend and claim their free Action Pack, which includes certificates, stickers, t-shirts, how-to guides, and a Handbook which contains advice, case studies, hints and tips to help plan and carry out an activity.

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: 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. Nearly 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.

Help us in the quest to celebrate young achievers. Ambition AXA Awards are targeted at 11-18 year olds and have been created to recognise outstanding young people involved in The Arts, Community, Enterprise, Science and Sport.  The winner in each category receives a bespoke mentoring prize worth up to £40,000 per category to progress their ambitions so that they can continue to make that all important difference. CSV is helping to judge. Please encourage young people you know to apply by visiting www.ambitionaxaawards.com or www.facebook.com/ambitionaxaawards