# Volunteering & charity work low on people’s list of New Year’s resolutions

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/01/07/volunteering-charity-work-low-on-peoples-list-of-new-years-resolutions/
- Published: 2020-01-07T08:00:57+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Overall, just 6% of people questioned in a recent YouGov poll said participating
in volunteering or charity work had ever been one of their New Year’s resolutions.**

YouGov [questioned 2,020 UK adults](https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2019/12/31/quarter-brits-will-make-new-years-resolution)
in December on the subject, and found that volunteering or charity work came near
the bottom of the list for New Year’s resolutions, beaten only by cutting down on
phone usage, which only 4% had ever resolved to do.

Women however, were more likely to include this as New Year’s resolution, at 9% 
compared to 4% of men. Younger age groups were also more likely to make volunteering
or charity work a resolution, with 9% of 18-24 year olds including it, and 8% of
25-34 year olds. Least likely were 35-44 year olds and those aged 55+, both at 5%.

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Top, by a wide margin, and for all age groups, were losing weight at 44%, followed
by more exercise / increasing fitness, saving more money, and improving diet. 

27% however said they had never made a New Year’s resolution, and only 25% of these
made one last year. 27% overall said they would be making them for 2020.

 * **[20 ways charities are encouraging people to fundraise for them this January](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/01/05/20-ways-charities-are-encouraging-people-to-fundraise-for-them-this-january/)**(
   5 January 2022)
 * **[New Year Honours List highlights charity sector leaders](https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/01/07/new-year-honours-list-highlights-charity-sector-leaders/)**(
   7 January 2026)
 * **[New Year tales of woe](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/01/07/new-year-tales-woe/)**(
   7 January 2008)

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