Brits Say Volunteering is KEY TO HAPPINESS as BOOST Partners with Re-engage for Christmas Campaign

By Jill Dando News

89% of Brits think that helping others and volunteering is the key to happiness

Brits feel down an average of nine days a month with money worries (55%), the weather (42%) and getting old (36%) the main pressure points 

87% say they feel lifted when they do something charitable 

35% believe happiness is infectious and over half (52%) claim that a smile can lift their mood 

Leading functional drinks brand BOOST has announced its partnership with Re-engage charity, as new research explores the state-of-the-nation in the UK when it comes to happiness, and the positive effects of helping others and volunteering. 
 
The partnership between BOOST and Re-engage is targeting young people for the charity’s ‘Christmas Call Companion’ service, encouraging them to commit to weekly calls with isolated older people over the festive period.  
 
With research showing 22% of Brits admit they were happier last year, and one in three confessing they smile less now than last year, the nation’s need for pick-me-ups is clear and is particularly prevalent in BOOST’s primarily Gen Z audience, who admitted to feeling down on more days per month than the average (12.1 vs 9 average).  
 
BOOST and Re-engage’s new research has found that feeling like you’re making a difference (57%), giving you a feeling of happiness (48%), feeling part of the community (38%) and meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures (36%) are all key benefits of volunteering, along with increasing your confidence (36 percent), a sense of pride (35%) and boosting your self-esteem (32%).  

And despite negative stereotypes around Gen Z and their so-called lack of work ethic, 60% of this age group are actually already volunteering, the highest of any age demographic, with many more keen to give it a go.  

 
Anjna Mistry, Brand Leader at BOOST, which has teamed up with charity Re-engage, commented,

“It’s clear from the research that Brits are searching for small ways to get a boost of positivity, and nothing gives you a boost like helping others and supporting great charities like Re-engage, especially at Christmas.”  
 
“Boost prides itself on helping communities, and through this partnership with Re-engage we’re looking to show just how easy and beneficial becoming a volunteer can be – for both the person receiving support and the volunteer.”   
 
 
 “We hope with this campaign we’re able to encourage new volunteers for Re-engage’s Christmas Call Companion service and show more young people the incredible benefits to your mental health that volunteering can offer.”  

 
A WHOPPING 89 percent think that helping others and volunteering is key to happiness, so much so that 29 percent say they go out of their way to make other people happy. 87 percent say they feel lifted when they do something charitable. 

 
 
Four in ten (41 percent) Brits regularly volunteer, undertaking an average of 12 hours a month. One in three (34 percent) would love to help others but aren’t able at the moment.  
 
Tom Oakes, Head of Growth at Re-engage said:

“Many of the lonely older people we support say they love talking to someone who is younger. They can offer their own extensive life experience while learning about latest trends and fashions. It keeps them in touch with the world, which is vital for them. 
  
“One lady we support who is in her eighties, blind and housebound gets regular calls from a younger volunteer and she says she lives her life through these – that shows just how important they are. 
  
“We know that once people start making regular calls to an older person, they quickly realise just how satisfying it is to bring happiness and comfort to them. We really want younger volunteers to come forward and make these calls during Christmas- and hopefully beyond.” 

 
Further standout stats from the research include that 57 percent admit that life is so hard at the moment that finding joy in the small things is imperative, while 26 percent say they need MORE pick-me-ups in the dark winter months, than in the summer.  

 
The study also found that 35 percent believe that happiness is infectious with over half (52 percent) claiming that a smile can lift their mood. 30 percent think happy people are more attractive, than miserable ones. 

 
Re-engage’s Christmas Call Companion campaign is a telephone befriending service specifically designed for older people who are feeling lonely or in need of companionship over the festive period and is open to volunteers of all ages. 
 
The first 50 people who sign up for the service, complete the onboarding process and have their first call will be sent a BOOST product care package to help keep them energised whilst volunteering.  

 
Those interested in becoming a Christmas Call Companion for Re-engage can find more details and sign up here. 

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