Polling undertaken by Populus for The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, at the University of Birmingham, has found that the UK public value care and compassion in people around them, as well as in senior and political leaders in almost identical numbers to a similar poll run in April 2020.
A poll of 2,088 adults in the UK found that 68% selected ‘being compassionate/caring’ in their top 3 most valued strengths in those around them – an identical figure to the first poll. They also valued it the most in terms of personal well-being (25%).
The British public valued ‘being resilient’ in greater numbers than in April, but there was a decline in the value placed on the civic strengths of ‘being of service’ and ‘having community awareness’; suggestive that the public mood has moved to one of self-preservation over community togetherness.
Less than a quarter of the British public have volunteered their time to benefit others during the crisis, but of those who have, both 18-24 year olds and those aged 55-64 have volunteered the most.
The poll is available to view in full here.
A press release on the poll is also available here.
