New research published 6th October 2011

New independent research conducted by ICM and commissioned by the CSV Make a Difference Day campaign will reveal the state of the nation’s anxiety, loneliness and isolation on the two month anniversary of the summer riots and the third year anniversary of the onset of recession. (Embargo: Thursday 6th October 2011)

The figures will reveal whether the nation feels more or less lonely and anxious since the English riots in August and the onset of recession. The research will also chart trends between different regions and cities throughout Britain. The campaign is backed by TV psychologist Honey Langcaster-James.

The research, which gauges the opinion of a representative sample of 2000 adults aged 18 and above throughout the country, will be available to media, under embargo, before its launch on Thursday 6th October 2011. The first disturbances took place in Tottenham on Saturday 6th August.

The findings come in the build up of this year’s CSV Make a Difference Day, which is the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering, with events organised by individuals and communities on the two weeks either side of Saturday 29th October 2011. This year there is a special focus on isolation and loneliness.

For further press information or to register to receive CSV Make a Difference Day’s Riots, Recession and Loneliness Survey contact: Francesca Toma / Jason Tanner on 020 7812 0037/38 or 07966 168686 / 07941 433598 or ftoma@csv.org.uk / jtanner@csv.org.uk  

Notes for editors

The Riots, Recession and Loneliness survey was commissioned by CSV Make a Difference Day and conducted by ICM Research. ICM interviewed a nationally representative sample of 2030 adults aged 18+ in GB online between 9th and 11th September 2011. 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.com

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) www.csv.org.uk

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