The antidote to January blues: volunteer

As Britain braces itself for Blue Monday, the most miserable day of the year, new research from Citizens Advice reveals volunteering can play a crucial role in helping people who suffer with mental health problems. Three-quarters of individuals identified with mental health issues said that “volunteering helped them feel more able to manage their condition.”

Over 80% of all volunteers said that volunteering has had a positive effect on their physical or mental health and 56% reported feeling less stressed. With Blue Monday looming, a time when debts pile up after Christmas and bad weather adds to woes, January can be a challenge for most. Citizens Advice is calling on those pondering New Year’s resolutions to sign up and volunteer with the service.

Volunteers are the life-blood of the Citizens Advice service, which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary. 1 in 3 volunteers leave to go into paid work or education, a figure which doubles for those aged 25 and younger, over 22,000 people donate hours worth over £100 million every year.

The research shows volunteering can also boost your career: 90% of unemployed volunteers said that working with their Citizens Advice Bureau is helping them to find paid work.

Julia, volunteered with the service two years ago after a difficult time recovering from alcohol addiction. She became an apprentice with Citizens Advice whilst also undertaking a qualification. Julia left the bureau last month after getting a job in the health sector:

“I suffered severely with depression, I was successful with a good job, house, car and my independence. Unfortunately, after a long period of illness I lost my self esteem, I then volunteered at my local Citizens Advice Bureau. With help and guidance from staff, I started to rebuild my confidence and consequently, my life.

“Volunteering let me experience work at my pace, whilst giving vital support to a much needed charity which provides a desperately needed service. I found opportunities varied, meeting and helping people from all walks of life. Volunteering helped me to turn my life around, I have seen many volunteers move on to employment helped by the experience gained from volunteering.”

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of national charity Citizens Advice, said:

“Volunteering can lead to a happier, healthier and more successful 2014. Our evidence shows that volunteering is crucial in helping people facing issues with mental health. Over half of our volunteers say they are less stressed as a result. Volunteering can reap higher rewards over longer periods of time.

“Our volunteers make a huge contribution to their local communities and ultimately to society but these figures now reveal the benefits that volunteers can expect to see themselves.

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.