IMN Content - Lifestyle and Consumer Content

All Give and No Take as 80% of Brits Give to Charity but Refuse to Seek Help

Despite 13.5 million people living in financial need in the UK, new research has revealed 80% of Brits still regularly give money to charity and a third admit to donating their time.
Lifestyle - 2 June 2011   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Rob Tolan and Alex Scott| Login to Download

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
  News Hooks:

New research out today reveals the worrying attitudes of the 13.5 million people living in financial need in the UK. The survey revealed the generosity of the British public even in these tough financial times, with 80% of Brits donating money regularly to charity and a third donating their time. This is especially so in the 18 - 24 age bracket, with just under two thirds having volunteered in the past year.

A third of people felt they could never approach a charity themselves if they were in financial need with over half of Brits stating they would rather extend their working hours or get a second job. One in five would feel more comfortable approaching a loan shark, spending more on their credit card or taking out an extra loan than applying for a charity grant.

Worryingly, over 90% of Brits had no idea charitable funds existed. In fact, there is £366 million worth of grants in 3500 charitable funds available for those living in financial need.

. Introduction:

New research out today has revealed that a third of Brits would never turn to charities for financial assistance, despite the current economic climate leaving more than 13 million people living in financial need. We’re a generous bunch, with eight out of ten of us donating money or time to charities – so it’s worrying that nearly a fifth quizzed in the survey would turn to a loan shark before seeking charitable assistance.

So why is it that that people are so unwilling to reach out for charitable help when in need?

Joining us to discuss this further is Rob Tolan, Head of Research and Policy at the charity, Elizabeth Finn, and Alex Scott, who experienced financial problems as a result of his depression.

. Suggested Questions:

What does show about peoples attitudes towards charitable help in our area?

How are people coping with the added financial pressures that the current economic climate is creating?

What help is available to people in need of financial

And why are more people not turning to charities for help?

How do people find out if they are eligible for charitable grants?

Where can our viewers find out more information?