Survey: Post-riot and recession anxiety revealed

The independent research published on the two month anniversary of the start of the riots and the third year since the start of the recession was officially confirmed, shows the extent to which British people are lonely, isolated and anxious about the future.

Researchers aimed to establish whether the nation feels more or less isolated from their community since the riots, as well as asking if the riots and the onset of the recession triggered feelings of anxiety or loneliness.

Key results inlude

l A quarter of people living in the South East (25%) have experienced feelings of loneliness over the last decade, rising to a over a third (36%) who have felt anxious about the future during the last 10 years.

l More than one in 10 people living in the South East (13%) are anxious about the future since the riots.

l More than a third of people living in the South East are anxious about the future since the onset of the recession (34%).

The research comes in the build-up to CSV Make a Difference Day, which is the UK’s biggest single day of volunteering on Saturday, October 29,

This year the focus is isolation and loneliness. The campaign is looking to demonstrate how giving time through volunteering with friends, family and neighbours and being an active member of the community can make people feel less lonely, anxious and isolated whether it’s clearing graffiti and reporting faulty street lamps or visiting isolated people.

Psychologist and life coach Honey Langcaster-James, is supporting the campaign and gives some analysis to why people may feel lonely or anxious since the English riots and explains why giving your free time to benefit the community is one way to meet new people to combat loneliness and isolation.

She said@ “People like to feel that they belong in their community and volunteering to benefit someone else that may be less fortunate is one way to validate ourselves as individuals.

“Modern day issues like unemployment and depression can make you feel worthless but volunteering and spending time with others can remind ourselves that we all have qualities and talents to offer.

“The English riots were shocking to many, and younger people especially are likely to have been affected emotionally by them. They may feel a combination of guilt, that other young people like them were mainly responsible, and isolation because perhaps they as individuals would not act in such ways, so they may feel ‘different’ from their peers as they see them.

To find out more about Make A Difference Day visit www.csv.org.uk/difference or call FREEPHONE 0800 284 533 or email [email protected]