The Art of Happiness…Is volunteering the blueprint for bliss?

http://www.esrc.ac.uk/esrccontent/news/september04-2.asp
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New research indicates that helping others raises quality of life for
British Citizens.

When we volunteer our time to do something for others, such as helping out
an elderly neighbour or taking part in a local community project, it can be
good news for our health, our children's education and even reduce the
local crime rate too.

Recent research funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) has
revealed that people who live in areas that record high levels of informal
voluntary activity in their neighbourhood, also enjoy better health,
students achieve higher GCSE grades and their communities suffer fewer
burglaries.

Professor Paul Whiteley, Programme Director of the ESRC Democracy &
Participation Research Programme that produced the findings explains "The
research has revealed an interesting link between helping others and
enjoying a good quality of life. It seems that when we focus on the needs
of others, we may also reap benefits ourselves. It means that voluntary
activity in the community is associated with better health, lower crime,
improved educational performance and greater life satisfaction. Communities
with lots of civic and community engagement are also communities that have
environments that foster favourable outcomes such as these".

Volunteering has a positive influence, irrespective of a community's social
class or wealth. "A relatively poor community with lots of voluntary
activity can do better in relation to health, crime and education than a
relatively affluent community which lacks such activity" explains Whiteley.
The research also tested for links between voluntary activity and overall
life satisfaction or happiness. Again there is a strong link between
communities with lots of volunteering and those where people are very
satisfied with their lives.

At the top of the happiness league, and who recorded high levels of
volunteering activity, are residents of provincial cities such as Bristol,
Chester, Aberdeen and Cardiff and those from Home Counties such as South
Cambridge and Rutland. Sevenoaks in Kent recorded the highest percentage of
those who are 'very satisfied with life'. Whereas inhabitants of London
suburbs such as Luton and Waltham Forest or northern cities like Salford,
Carlisle and Hull were the least satisfied with their lot, recording the
lowest scores in the life satisfaction stakes.

The Home Secretary, the Rt Hon David Blunkett comments "Volunteering is a
growing activity. Government figures show that in 2003, 51 per cent of
people in England participated in their community – around 20.3 million
people. The equivalent contribution to the economy made by people
volunteering formally and informally in their community was around 42.6
billion pounds in 2003. Volunteering clearly has benefits for citizens,
families and communities. That is why the Government is developing and
strengthening our partnership with the voluntary sector, especially in
order to reach out to our most deprived communities".

The research sample was based on 101 district authorities selected at
random.

Name of District – Top 10
 % who are 'Very Satisfied' with Life
Sevenoaks
 37
Chester
 28
South Cambridge
 28
Teignbridge
 27
Rutland
 27
Tonbridge and Malling
 25
Bristol
 25
Aberdeen
 25
Warwick
 24
Cardiff
 24

Name of District – Bottom 10  % who are 'Very Satisfied' with Life
Carlisle
 12
Waltham Forest
 12
Sheffield
 12
East Ayrshire
 11
Salford
 11
Kingston upon Hull
 11
Luton
 11
Havering
 10
South Derbyshire
 10
Huntingdonshire
 9

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