CSV UK - Press Release

Lucy de Groot welcomes ACEVO report on youth unemployment

francesca.toma — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:30:37 +0000

Lucy de Groot, Chief Executive of UK volunteering and learning charity, CSV, welcomes ACEVO’s report on youth employment

“Good to see the ACEVO report highlighting the corrosive impact of youth unemployment and the depth of the problem in some parts of the country.

"Building on longstanding local expertise and commitment is now urgent. We need the resources and support from all parties to get on with it."

Lucy de Groot

Child protection volunteers shown as effective in reducing serious risk

francesca.toma — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:39:28 +0000

New independent research presented to the Children’s Minister, Tim Loughton MP, underlines the benefits of training local volunteers to support families with children at risk of serious harm and subject to child protection plans.

CSV Café for trainee Chefs receives grant from Local Freemasons

francesca.toma — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:16:14 +0000

UK volunteering and training charity CSV has received a grant of £28,000 from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, to fund the further development of two training cafes in Bristol, Café G in Southmead and The Whole Baked Café in Old Market.

Tim Loughton to deliver keynote speech at Child Protection Event

francesca.toma — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:13:08 +0000

The role of enlisting community volunteers as part of the armoury to protect children at risk of neglect and abuse will be the focus of a special networking event for children’s services at which Tim Loughton MP, Under Secretary of State for Children and Families will speak. (Monday 28th November).

The role of the voluntary sector in safeguarding is critical as funding issues force statutory agencies to cut their provision in key areas. This event will focus on the role of volunteering within safeguarding and child protection.

Giving, Sharing and looting: the challenges of community in hard times

francesca.toma — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:45:57 +0000

Geoff Mulgan, the Chief Executive of NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) spoke about the challenges facing communities in the face of tough economic conditions and civil unrest. Geoff presented the 21st Edith Khan Memorial Lecture for UK volunteering and training charity, CSV on Tuesday 1 November 2011.

Esther Rantzen kick starts biggest day of UK volunteering

francesca.toma — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:29:37 +0000

Broadcaster and Campaigner, Esther Rantzen CBE, spoke candidly today about her personal experience of loneliness and isolation ahead of CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering (Saturday 29th October).

Mass action to combat UK loneliness and isolation

francesca.toma — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:54:07 +0000

Tens-of-thousands of people throughout the UK will be taking mass action to strengthen their communities, improve their environment and tackle concerns around isolation and loneliness in the face of recession and riots. It comes in the build up to Make a Difference Day, the nation’s biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 29th October 2011, with events taking place a week either side. Last year more than 70,000 people took part – twice the size of the London Marathon!

UK leg of European Year of Volunteering launched on eve of nation’s biggest single day of civil action

francesca.toma — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:05:04 +0000

The contribution of tens-of-thousands of volunteers will be marked at the launch of the UK tour of the European Year of Volunteering, on the eve of CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering. The launch will be held at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in Southwark on Friday 28th October.

Europeans to debate and celebrate volunteering and social action in Edinburgh

francesca.toma — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:34:14 +0000

Volonteurope, together with the UK volunteering and training charity CSV, is bringing over 100 participants from all over Europe to Edinburgh to share best practice, network and celebrate volunteering, active citizenship and social action at a major European conference (20-23 October 2011).

Iain Duncan Smith and over 80 MPs takes the Pledge to Make a Difference

francesca.toma — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:16:12 +0000

Iain Duncan Smith MP joined forces with more than 80 other MPs to take the pledge to encourage people throughout their constituencies to give time to benefit their local communities in the build up to CSV Make a Difference Day, the biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday 29 October 2011, and were joined by pop mogul Pete Waterman and BBC Radio Five Live presenter Rachel Burden.

Brits are more lonely, isolated and anxious for the future – survey reveals

francesca.toma — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:56:39 +0000

New independent research conducted by ICM and commissioned by the CSV Make a Difference Day campaign reveals the extent to which riots and recession are taking their toll on the nation’s anxiety about the future. Nearly a third of young people are more anxious about their future since the onset of recession, while 1 in 10 of the population report anxiety following the summer riots.

Green fingers brighten up local communities to tackle loneliness and isolation

francesca.toma — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:46:31 +0000

Amateur gardeners are being challenged to use their green fingers to plant flowers, trees and plants in local parks to make communities safer, happier and less isolating, as part of the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering, CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 29 October 2011. There are free seeds for planting this autumn for the first 200 people to register their gardening events.

Riots, Recession and Loneliness – ‘State of the Nation’ to be revealed

francesca.toma — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:59:25 +0000

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)

European broadcasters descend on London for flagship conference to promote volunteering

francesca.toma — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:55:36 +0000

UK volunteering and training charity CSV is giving broadcasters from across Europe the opportunity to share best practice about promoting volunteering on air as part of a flagship event being hosted in London for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 (Wednesday 21 to Thursday 22 September 2011).

Young trainees celebrate after meeting HRH Princess Anne

francesca.toma — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:39:52 +0000

As part of a fact finding mission, HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, was welcomed on a tour of CSV’s training centre in Redditch on Monday 19th September 2011.

Local approach to public services will save money and improve quality, say charities

francesca.toma — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:17:58 +0000

Harnessing the best of local communities and involving local small businesses is the best way to improve services in an age of austerity, according to a new report from a group of leading charities including independent think-tank nef (the new economics foundation), volunteering body CSV and social care organisations NAAPS and KeyRing.

‘Bake’ a Chocolately Difference

francesca.toma — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:58:55 +0000

Chocoholics are being challenged to tackle loneliness and isolation by making a Chocolate Fridge Cake by up-and-coming young Chef, Sam Stern, as part of the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering, CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 29 October.

Home is where the heart - and job - is, say local teens

francesca.toma — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:20:49 +0000

There is no place like home for youngsters when it comes to career plans, according to a new report by the Ambition AXA Awards. When asked about their ambitions after leaving school, teens across the country said there was no better place to live and find work, with the majority of local 11 to 18-year-olds planning to stay put. In some areas, up to a third said they saw themselves living in another part of the UK, while 17 per cent – rising to 26 per cent in the North East, Wales and East Anglia – plan to move abroad.

Savvy surfers to share computer skills

francesca.toma — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:12:19 +0000

As part of the biggest single day of volunteering, teenagers and computer enthusiasts are being encouraged to spend time with people who have never accessed the internet to combat isolation and loneliness for CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 29 October 2011.

Young teens write to very ill children in hospitals

francesca.toma — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:10:33 +0000

As part of the biggest single day of volunteering, teenagers are being encouraged to write letters or draw pictures to seriously ill children in hospitals to combat isolation and loneliness for CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 29 October 2011.

Students invited to boost their career, not their debt!

francesca.toma — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:04:37 +0000

As many young people prepare to receive their A Level results, students can opt for a career based Gap Year in the UK to gain key skills for employment as an alternative to University.

A Gap Year with UK volunteering charity, CSV boosts a young person’s employability with many prospective employers impressed by their skills in problem solving, decision-making and communication. A Gap Year can also provide essential experience to ensure a place at University including social care, teaching, psychology and nursing.

Letter to the Prime Minister offering help in the wake of the recent riots

francesca.toma — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:14:01 +0000

Rt Hon David Cameron MP
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA

12th August 2011

Knit blankets for lonely homeless animals

francesca.toma — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:49:14 +0000

Animal lovers are being challenged to knit an animal blanket for homeless cats and dogs to donate to shelters to combat isolation and loneliness as part of the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering, CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 29 October 2011.

Nation to be challenged to help lonely and isolated across the UK

francesca.toma — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:02:34 +0000

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.

Students opt to boost their career, not their debt!

francesca.toma — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:45:29 +0000

This year many students will start their University life facing £27,000 of debt or no guarantee of a job due to youth unemployment at nearly one million. However, an alternative is to opt for a career based Gap Year in the UK to gain key skills for employment. Many will choose their options on A level results day (Thursday 18 August) depending on their results.

Does charitable giving start off young?

jason.tanner — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:34:58 +0000

As part of the build up to the Ambition AXA Awards to find the most outstanding contribution to the community by a young person, CSV’s Chief Executive, Lucy de Groot considers how driven young people are to make a difference.

Social care professionals urged to consider involving volunteers in care packages

francesca.toma — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:42:53 +0000

UK volunteering charity, CSV is urging social care professionals to include volunteers as part of the menu of options to help people with disabilities to live independently. Recent changes to rules on personal care budgets have increased the scope to involve volunteers in quality personalised care as an alternative to more expensive options.

Scotland’s Senior Volunteers to be honoured with Queen’s Award

francesca.toma — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:39:42 +0000

CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteers are to be honoured at Holyroodhouse this summer for the positive impact they have in communities around the Forth Valley.

Health Champions tackle ‘embarrassing’ health with new Government funding

francesca.toma — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:20:37 +0000

UK volunteering charity CSV will train and recruit active citizens across the country to spread important information about embarrassing or taboo health issues amongst marginalised people over 50 years old, thanks to a share of the first ever grants from the Department of Health’s £6 million Volunteering Fund (Embargo: 00.01 Wednesday 1st June 2011).

“Love ponds” launch Green Grants in Scotland

francesca.toma — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:03:02 +0000

The CSV Action Earth campaign launches on Monday 30 May in Scotland. Hundreds of grants worth up to £500 are available to voluntary groups and individuals thanks to support from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The grants are designed to help people improve their local environment and coincide with a local project that is encouraging endangered frogs and newts to breed.