Research carried out by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) has shown that people who live in areas of Britain where there is a high level of community involvement are generally happier and healthier.

Helping others not only helps the recipient, but the giver as well. Those who help others are likely to achieve better results in exams, suffer fewer illnesses and are less likely to take to crime!

Professor Paul Whiteley, Programme Director of the ESRC Democracy & Participation Research Programme that carried out the research said "The research has revealed an interesting link between helping others and enjoying a good quality of life. It seems that when we focus on the needs of others, we may also reap benefits ourselves. It means that voluntary activity in the community is associated with better health, lower crime, improved educational performance and greater life satisfaction. Communities with lots of civic and community engagement are also communities that have environments that foster favourable outcomes such as these".