The Community Life Survey is an annual survey commissioned by Cabinet Office to provide Official Statistics on issues that are key to encouraging social action and empowering communities, including volunteering, giving and community engagement. Headline findings show: 
Volunteering
• People continue to volunteer on a regular basis (at least once a month), with overall volunteering levels remaining stable in 2015-16 (47%) compared with 2014-15 (47%). This is also true for annual volunteering levels, with 70% of people partaking in any volunteering in the past 12 months (69% in 2014-15). However, annual levels remain lower than those seen in 2013-14 (74%).
• 41% of people participated in formal volunteering at least once in the past 12 months, remaining stable when compared to 2014-15 (42%). 60% of people informally volunteered in the past 12 months, which also remains consistent with 2014-15 (59%).
Charitable giving
• Levels of charitable giving remain stable, with 73% of people giving to charity in an average 4-week period (compared with 75% in 2014-15).
• In 2015-16, the average amount given to charity within a 4-week period also remains stable (£22), and at highest recorded levels since 2005. 22% of people gave an average of £10-£19, which has decreased compared with 27% in 2014-15, however, those giving an average of £20-£49 has increased (28% compared with 24% in 2014-15) Neighbourhood
• More people agree that their neighbourhood pulls together to improve the area (68%) compared with 2014-15 (63%), and this increase is also comparable against 2012-13 and 2013-14 (62% and 60% respectively)
• Additionally, more people also agree that their local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together (89% compared with 86% in 2014-15), and this is the highest level recorded across all survey years (since 2003).
Civic Engagement
• The proportion of people taking part in annual civic participation has increased (34% compared with 30% in 2014-15), yet remains stable for those partaking on a regular basis (at least once a month) (4% compared with 5% in 2014-15)
• Fewer people would like to be involved in the decisions made by their local council (39% compared with 43%), and this trend is seen across all survey years. Results suggest this is driven by an increase in those saying ‘it depends on the issue’ (24%).
Wellbeing
• There has been an increase in those who feel satisfied with their life, and levels are at the highest recorded since 2012-13 (average of 7.9 out of 10).
For further information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-life-survey-2015-to-2016-statistical-analysis