31% of Brightonians considering a role in public service
Boundless poll shows employees inspired by key workers on Public Service day
Almost a third of people polled in Brighton are so inspired by the contribution of key workers during the pandemic that they are considering a move into public service.
The survey, conducted by Brighton-based Boundless, a public sector and civil service membership club, was released in time for Public Service Day on Wednesday 23 June.
It showed that almost three-quarters of the UK’s public service heroes have undertaken volunteer work or raised money to help others during the pandemic – even whilst they were saving lives.
So, it’s no wonder that Brightonians, who supported the ‘clap for heroes’ initiative in large numbers throughout the pandemic, are now thinking of moving into public service themselves.
In fact, the 31 per cent who indicated they would consider a role outside the private sector was the second highest figure in the whole country.
In Bristol, for instance, the figure was just 16% and across the whole of the South East 21%.
It’s a revelation that makes Public Service Day all the more poignant.
Darren Milton at Boundless said: “It’s wonderful that people in Brighton are so inspired by the contribution of those working in public service that they are considering roles in the sector.
“If we didn’t know already just how special the people who work in public service are, these survey results really underline it.
“Not only have they been working tirelessly to help their country in such difficult times, but they are also the heart and soul of the communities they serve, often volunteering for roles to help others or raising money for good causes.
“Public Service Day is a chance for us all to say ‘thank you’ and let them know we really do appreciate everything they do.”
Other stats from the survey included:
More than 72 per cent of public service workers across the UK have volunteered or raised money during the pandemic. The figure in Brighton was 54%.
Public service workers say they have raised on average £8,131 per person during the course of their career for charity. The figure in the South East, including Brighton, was £10,365.
Some of the activities supported by public service workers who volunteered or raised funds over the last 15 months include:
Donating items, 30 per cent
Taking part in sponsored walks or runs, 15 per cent
Delivering meals or items to the underprivileged or vulnerable people, 14 per cent
Organising fundraising events, 13 per cent
Producing and sharing important information on Covid-19, 13 per cent
Organising virtual quiz nights, 12 per cent
Making or donating PPE, 9 per cent
Providing online counselling services, 8 per cent
Public Service Day, officially launched by the United Nations as long ago as 2003, has barely been recognised in the UK until two years ago, when Boundless began campaigning for it to be celebrated more publicly.
Now its profile is growing, with backing from MPs on all sides of the House and increasing recognition across the country.
Caroline Ansell, MP for Eastbourne, said: “In normal times, what these people do in classrooms, offices, hospitals and care homes, to name just a few locations, is something to celebrate.
“But over the last 15 months, the work of our dedicated public servants has been the difference between life and death, the difference between vulnerable children staying in school or being lost to the system; the difference between rubbish on our streets or regular refuse collection in such challenging times. The whole country owes them all a debt of gratitude on Public Service Day.”
There is still work to do, however, to thank those who have given so much.
A worrying 58 per cent of people working in public service say they don’t feel appreciated enough by the public.
People across the country can help change that by getting behind Public Service Day.
For more information, inspirational stories, and tips on how to get involved, please visit www.boundless.co.uk/publicserviceday and engage on social media with @bemoreboundless using the hashtags #extraordinarypeople and #PublicServiceDay.
TOP 10 MONEY RAISED
1 London £11,554
2 Southampton £10,943
3 Leeds £10,154
4 Cardiff £9,478
5 Birmingham £8,931
6 Brighton £8,596
7 Liverpool £6,936
8 Manchester £6,374
9 Norwich £6,292
10 Bristol £5,289
TOP 10 CONSIDERING A CAREER IN PUBLIC SECTOR
1 Cardiff 38%
2 Brighton 31%
3 Newcastle 30%
4 Manchester 29%
5 Sheffield 28%
6 Glasgow 27%
7 Norwich 27%
8 London 26%
9 Birmingham 26%
10 Liverpool 25%