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Sir Bob Geldof is the celebrity most likely to inspire people to volunteer
Report with thanks to Martin Walford of the Volunteering England Consortium
THE musician and charity campaigner, behind the 20th anniversary re-make of this year's Christmas Number One
"Band Aid" single, ranked first among a list of celebrities who might encourage the public to involve themselves more with charity or voluntary work.
The celebrities included comedian Lenny Henry who polled second place with 24%. Kelly Holmes, gold medallist at this year's Athens Olympics, was third on 23%, followed by Ant & Dec with 22%, and HRH the Prince of Wales at 20%.
The MORI poll (1), commissioned for the Year of the Volunteer, reveals that almost three in ten people (29%) intend to make a New Year's resolution in 2005.Two-thirds (67%) feel they have a better chance of keeping a resolution if it involves doing things with other people, while 72% say they are more likely to keep a resolution that has a positive effect on others.
Davina McCall also featured in the top ten (2) and said:- "My own involvement with the homeless charity Crisis and my work to help launch an anti-drugs campaign has really shown me the difference that volunteers can make. The Year of the Volunteer is a great chance to get involved."
The Top Ten (2) celebrities most likely to encourage people to get involved with charity or voluntary work are:-
Bob Geldof 35%
Lenny Henry 24%
Kelly Holmes 23%
Ant & Dec 22%
The Prince of Wales 20%
Robbie Williams 16%
Jamie Oliver 15%
Davina McCall 15%
Lorraine Kelly 14%
David Beckham 10%
The aims of the Year of the Volunteer are to:-
1. Increase the number of volunteers, particularly individuals from marginalised groups and young people
2. Open more volunteering opportunities in the public and voluntary sector
3. Raise the profile of the work volunteers are doing nationwide
4. Thank volunteers everywhere for their time and commitment
The Year of the Volunteer 2005 is being coordinated by CSV, the UK's largest volunteering charity and the Volunteering England consortium, with backing from the Home Office.
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An unusual artwork in Liverpool has been chosen as one of the happiest in England LIVERPOOL Institute for Performing Arts' Mark Featherstone-Witty, has entered 'A Case History' by John King in the MadforArts search to find the happiest piece of art in England. People with mental health issues are visiting galleries around the country and then entering their reviews onto www.madforarts.org. Mark joins a list of celebrities including the Duchess of Kent, Terry Gilliam, Vanessa Feltz, Nick Ross and Jonathon Edwards who are helping MadforArts search for the happiest art in England.
Speaking about his choice Mark said:- "A Case History makes me happiest because it's one of those creative pieces that can appeal in different ways to different people. What is it? A pile of suitcases cleverly cast in concrete at the top of Mount Street in Liverpool.
At one level, you get the simple message that Liverpool, the port, was the last place people set foot in before leaving for America and the first place they arrived in the UK. At another level, each suitcase has a brass tag. Each brass tag is referenced to a person from Liverpool, who made a difference. You can read what they did on the wall next to the exhibit. And finally, on a fine day, you can simply sit on the cases and admire the view down Mount Street onto the Mersey and beyond."
MadforArts is working with Tate Liverpool and The Walker Art Gallery to find the happiest art in Liverpool. People can join the search by collecting a MadforArts form from either gallery or by taking part online at
www.madforarts.org. There are additional prizes available for the best review of the Stuckists (at the Walker) and Cubism and its Legacy (at Tate Liverpool).
MadforArts is an innovative TV and web project aimed at increasing the number of people with mental health issues involved in the arts. By joining www.madforarts.org people can access their own virtual studio space and upload images, audio and video of the art that makes them happiest. Every few weeks the best studio entries will be chosen to receive prizes that include digital cameras, artworks, theatre tickets and art books.
Gary Hogman of MadforArts said:- "MadforArts is about getting out there and enjoying art and then sharing your experiences with others via this amazing website. Art is good for your mental health and the MadforArts project will help more people to find that out."
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