One million people will give the gift of time this Christmas

Millions of people plan to give the gift of time this festive season by volunteering to help others, new research suggests.

According to the Royal Voluntary Service, one in five adults in Britain plan to volunteer over the Christmas period, with more than one million people intending to volunteer on Christmas Day itself.

Of those who plan to volunteer, nearly three quarters intend to donate at least three hours of their time during the festivities and just over one in 10 will gift more than 10 hours.

Rebecca Kennelly, director of volunteering for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “Christmas can bring out our altruistic side, and volunteering is one of the most generous gifts you can give.

“It offers enormous value for the person making the gift, and to those receiving it: it changes lives, changes communities and changes society. It is wonderful to see so many people plan to volunteer this Christmas, and we’d welcome more of this generosity throughout the year."

More than half of respondents say giving time to help others is the most valuable gift you can give and believe more people should consider gifting their time to help others, rather than just spending on presents.

Two fifths also say they would prefer someone to donate their money or time to a good cause at Christmas rather than spending it on them.

For older people, being visited by volunteers helps them feel emotionally and physically healthier. Previous research conducted by the charity found they felt more able to cope with the difficulties and everyday challenges they faced.

Ms Kennelly added: “Whether it’s providing an older person with company at home or running a gentle exercise class on a hospital ward, our volunteers make a tangible difference to so many people, with millions of small acts of kindness.”

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with more than 20,000 volunteers, who support thousands of people each month in hospitals and elsewhere in the community.

The charity wants to harness the public’s “giving spirit” to support its work with the NHS and people in later life, citing the huge difference that just a few hours can make to someone’s life.

For more information visit: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk