Report reveals loss of community spirit

Forget terrorism, global warming or rising interest rates - local post office closures are what keep us Brits awake at night, according to a new report by volunteering agency CSV.

The report, Vanishing Britain, reveals that the majority of people in the UK are concerned that we are turning into an urbanised, work-obsessed nation of out-of-town supermarket shoppers.

The research, conducted to shed light on the public's attitudes to British society, shows that 46% of those questioned were most concerned about the loss of our countryside and green spaces, with 41% worried about the loss of local amenities, including post offices. Some 30% stressed the issue of spending too little time with their families, and four in 10 people questioned were concerned about old people losing their dignity.

Claire Ghoussoub, campaign manager for CSV, says that the fear of losing our sense of community is a common thread throughout the research. "The research reflects the fact that even though we are becoming more efficient consumers, with more internet and out-of-town shopping, we're concerned that this is having a negative knock-on effect on Britain's people and places," she says.

"The loss of amenities such as shops and post offices is the greatest concern among people aged 55 and older, which could be because older people are more likely to live in rural areas with poor transport links. This can make their day-to-day lives increasingly difficult and isolated."

The charity, which releases the research today to promote its national volunteering initiative Make A Difference Day, is hoping to persuade more people to help rekindle community spirit. It is putting together "how-to" guides for potential volunteers, with suggestions such as baking fair-trade cookies and delivering them to older neighbours. Another guide, entitled How to Knit Your Family Together, shows people how families can knit blankets as a way of spending time together.

Ghoussoub says: "We're hoping we can draw attention to ways people can take action about the things they are worried about losing in Britain today."

· Details of CSV Make Difference Day on October 28 at www.csv.org.uk/difference