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Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the Third Sector launched the ‘Give More, Get More, Volunteer’ campaign that aims to encourage volunteering and making it more accessible, at a fantastic cultural event in central London yesterday (International Volunteer Day).
This multimedia integrated campaign is especially targeting people with no formal qualifications, people with disabilities and those from ethnic minorities to be aware of, inspired, encouraged and realise the benefits of volunteer opportunities in their community.
Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the Third Sector, said:
“Over half of all adults in England and Wales volunteer on a monthly basis, but too many of the most vulnerable members of our society are missing out on the benefits volunteering can bring – to build skills, qualifications, and self-confidence.
“Volunteering is an extremely powerful way to help people rise to the challenges they face on a daily basis, and enables them to use their experiences to empower others.”
The campaign also reminds people who volunteer that they can claim back expenses for things like lunch and travel without losing their benefits. This timely reminder comes on the back of Community Channel commissioned Ipsos MORI research which reveals that three-quarters (73)% of people don’t know that someone on Incapacity Benefit can volunteer without losing their benefits.
The “Let’s Do Lunch” event featured a range of exciting activities. BBC celebrity chef Alan Coxon challenged teams of volunteers from Mencap, Scope, Timebanks UK, Upbeat and Volunteer Reading Help to the “Give More, Get More Volunteer Sandwich Challenge’. All the volunteer teams represented were declared the winners as there are no losers when you devote your time, experience and share your skills whatever they may be to support your local community
Volunteers also displayed a variety of expertise including the talented Samba Street Football Club, uplifting musical performances from mental health charity Upbeat featuring award winning volunteer Drew Jensen, and calming Tai Chi and Chinese painting from the Chinese Community Centre. Starbucks donated coffee and sandwiches to 100 volunteers to reinforce the changes rules around lunch expenses.
The “Give More, Get More Volunteer” campaign consists of press, TV, radio and outdoor advertising created by 141 Worldwide (part of Ogilvy). People who want to find out more and want to get involved should go to www.communitychannel.org/givemoregetmore or call the Community Channel campaign helpline on 08000 681 800. The channel is also sponsoring a special week’s worth of volunteering programming with red button interactivity and is broadcasting both series of The Jon Snow Interviews, from 7.30pm every night from Monday 4th to Sunday 10th.
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For more information:
James Matheson, Community Channel / 020 7874 7651 / jamesm@communitychannel.org
Keith Winestein, Media Trust Campaigns / 020 7874 7608 / keithw@mediatrust.org
Michele Corrado, Jo Slaymaker or Leo Brownstein, Ipsos MORI / 020 7347 3000
michele.corrado@ipsos-mori.com
jo.slaymaker@ipsos-mori.com
leo.brownstein@ipsos-mori.com
Technical Details
Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative total sample of 2,026 British adults aged 15+
Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing), as part of the Ipsos MORI Capibus
The sample design ensures that Capibus accurately reflects the GB population in terms of region and area types as well as informant demographics. In order to correct minor deviations, Capibus uses a rim weighting system which weights to NRS defined profiles for age, social grade, region and working status - within gender
Fieldwork was conducted between 17 and 23 November 2006
Where results do not sum to 100, this may be due to multiple responses, computer rounding or the exclusion of don’t knows/not stated
Q Did you know that a person who is on incapacity benefit in Britain can volunteer without losing their incapacity benefit? SINGLE CODE ONLY
%
Yes 23
No 73
Don’t know 4
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