Make a difference with volunteering

How much quality time do you spend with your family? Do you rush in from the school run, work, community commitments and other interests to squeeze in a quick hello before you all rush out again?

According to a new survey by the CSV Make a Difference Day campaign, half of people want to spend more time with their family.

What fascinates me about this survey is that many children want more time with their loved ones; it’s not just adults who are recognising this.

Quality family time

CSV Make a Difference Day is the UK’s biggest day of volunteering. This year it takes place on Saturday 30 October. The campaign is looking to demonstrate how giving time through volunteering as a family can increase the amount of time they spend together while being rewarding, enjoyable and worthwhile.

According to the survey, 41% of people aged 11 years plus feel they don’t spend enough time with their nearest and dearest.

Statistics

Some of the stats are as follows

• A third (31%) of 11-17 year olds would like to spend more time with their family. This rises to 38% amongst older teenagers (15-17 year olds)
• 41% of adults surveyed do not feel they spend enough time with their family peaking at 48% for adults aged 25-34 years
• More than a third (35%) of pensioners do not get enough family time
• The most popular activity people would do together as a family if they had the time is watching a film, with 70% of 11-17 year olds, 49% of 18-24s and 36% of 25-44 year olds preferring this option
• Cooking is also a popular activity to do with the family, with 50% of youngsters aged 11-14 wanting to spend more time in the kitchen

Volunteering is free!

The reason many adults cite for not spending quality time with their families is that they are working because they don’t have enough money. Fortunately, CSV has a host of inspiring free volunteering ideas for families to take part in on Make a Difference Day.

Last year nearly 70,000 volunteers took part by visiting isolated neighbours, cooking cakes for elderly residents, joining community sport events, holding jumble sales, clearing waterways, saving hedgehogs, holding intergenerational tea parties and helping children to read. Whatever activities you enjoy doing, be it watching films, cooking, playing on a computer console, helping children or arts and crafts, there is a way to incorporate this into a family event to spend more time together whilst helping the community.

Environmental volunteering

This year, anyone concerned about improving the environment can register to receive a free ‘How to’ guide to plant a ‘Family Tree’. Many thousands of volunteers will also spend time litter picking and improving community centres and gardens to brighten up their neighbourhoods.

You can register your event or get hold of free resources, including lesson plans.

What about you? Have you ever volunteered as a family?