Critically, this is higher than the national average of 74%, and the researchers are able to dismiss the possibility that this result arises because people seek to project themselves in a more positive light when responding to the survey.

However, the study also found that there is a ‘perceptions gap’, where 75% of residents underestimate the importance that their fellow citizens place on ‘compassionate’ values.

In fact, it goes further: 65% of people in Greater Manchester believe that their fellow citizens think ‘selfish’ values are more important than they do.

What do these findings mean for our society?

Common Cause Foundation, the organisation behind the study, which was conducted with support from the Big Lottery Fund, believes that the ‘perception gap’ is a real problem for community cohesiveness.

People who hold this misperception about others’ values – the large majority of us, in other words – are less likely to feel connected to their community, less likely to vote, and less likely to be supportive of devolving decision-making powers to Greater Manchester.

If this ‘perception gap’ can be closed, and we begin to recognise that our fellow citizens place as great an importance on ‘compassionate’ values as we do ourselves, then this could help to build a more compassionate society.

Closing this perception gap isn’t easy: it will take time and courage. If that is to happen, it will be because we visibly act in line with the ‘compassionate values’ that most of us prioritise. But, more than this, we also need to testify to the importance that we place on these values. This will be easiest to do in our interactions with friends and family, but it will be of particular significance in our interactions with people we don’t know. 

There are countless opportunities to express ‘compassionate’ values by helping one of the many organisations across Greater Manchester that work to help address social or environmental problems.

Here are some compassionate actions you can carry out in Greater Manchester today:

Housing and homelessness

New to this?..

If you pass a homeless person on your way home, why not pause for a couple of minutes to have a quick chat, see how they’re doing and if there’s anything they need? Or you could join Shelter in their ‘Longer Tenancies’ campaign, to help make renting safe, affordable and stable.

Like to do more?..

Having a clear out? Why not offer your pre-loved items to one of the great homelessness charities working in Greater Manchester. 

Street Support is a central online resource that aims to make it easier for homeless people to get the help they need and for citizens and businesses to do something to help by co-ordinating actions across the city.

Find out which items they need or make them an offer. You can also pledge your support, offer your time and skills or make a donation through their ‘Big Change’ campaign.

Getting stuck in…

Do you enjoy craft? Are you good with your hands? Emmaus works to end homelessness and the Emmaus craft group meets weekly to upcycle furniture donations, transforming them into great new gifts and products to sell in its stores.

Inspiring local people to commit compassionate actions through their interests and skills is the best way to do it – why not invite along a friend or neighbour? Before you know it, they’ll be signed up as a Friend of Emmaus, volunteering in the shop and helping out at special fundraising events!

Health and wellbeing

New to this?..

The Veteran’s Garage is a unique project based in Eccles aiming to support ex-military personnel. Supporting North West Veterans suffering from recent combat stress, the garage will also work to alleviate some of the loneliness and isolation of the older generation. You can find out more and become a friend of the project here.

Like to do more?..

As well as helping with the medical needs of people affected by cancer, Macmillan also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care.

From supporting people living with cancer by helping with a few odd jobs to cheering on marathon runners running for Macmillan, there are lots of ways you can help those living in Greater Manchester by looking for opportunities on the volunteering village page.

Getting stuck in…

You could support the North West Ambulance Service by becoming a Volunteer Car Driver and helping to transport people in your local community to a variety of medical appointments.

Climate change

New to this?..

We tend to underestimate the extent to which people are concerned about climate change – because it’s sometimes not easy to talk about. Make a commitment to mention how you feel about climate change to someone you don’t know well.

Like to do more?..

Learn about community energy and sign the pledge to support community energy across Greater Manchester.

The GM Community Energy Pledge website also helps you to find your local community energy project. Then make a point of telling someone you haven’t spoken to before about this.

Getting stuck in…

Get your employer to host Carbon Literacy training to find out how to reduce your environmental and carbon impact. You could even train to deliver the training yourself!

Travel – by foot, bike or public transport

New to this?..

Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know about why travelling on foot, by bike, or by public transport is important for the health of people living in Greater Manchester, and the health of the planet.

Like to do more?..

Research your journey to work using TfGM’s Journey Planner and see if you can make more of your journeys by foot, bike or public transport. Then tell someone that you’ve done this – ideally someone who you don’t already know well.

Getting stuck in…

Walking and cycling helps the environment, strengthens communities and benefits everyone’s health. Volunteer with Sustrans to maintain your local section of the National Cycle Network and become an Active Travel Champion, taking your ideas and conversations to community and faith groups, schools and universities.

Arts and culture

New to this?..

Help to create the opportunities for a generation of young people from across Greater Manchester to develop their creativity and meet new people by becoming a friend of Z-arts.

Like to do more?..

Next time you need to hire a meeting room or book a venue, why not consider supporting your local museum, gallery, library, theatre or music venue by booking a room with one of them rather than a corporate venue?

Use your visit as an excuse to get to know what’s going on at the venue – and then make a point of telling someone you don’t know about what you found.

Getting stuck in…

Drop into Manchester Museum’s Volunteer Day (Saturday 3rd June, 11am – 3pm) to experience the variety of ways our volunteers enrich a visit to the Museum.

Many of the Museum’s 200 volunteers will be sharing what they do and why they love volunteering – and you’ll have the chance to lend a hand!

There will be activities for the whole family, including some crafty micro-volunteering for causes across Manchester – get the family together to make a difference.

Local environment

New to this?..

You may not think of yourself as an environmentalist, but most people are concerned about the natural world and other living things. Make a commitment to express this concern in conversation with someone you don’t know.

Like to do more?..

Why not adopt your local tree pit and plant it up with flowers and shrubs? Or organise a litter pick? You can encourage your neighbours to do the same and meet new people.

Getting stuck in…

Groundwork MSSTT (Manchester-Salford-Stockport-Tameside-Trafford) work with communities to make their surroundings greener, safer and healthier.

Whether it’s supporting your application for a Tesco Bags of Help funding grant, inspiring the next generation of local environmental Green Leaders or bringing corporate volunteers to your neighbourhood to transform the urban environment, why not get in touch to see how they can help you turn your budding community idea into reality?

Employment, skills and education

New to this?..

You could sign up to support Back on Track Manchester. It works with adults who are going through a process of recovery or rehabilitation to help them build the skills they need to lead them back into employment.

Like to do more?..

The British Legion campaigns to address some of the barriers that veterans may face in securing long term and satisfying work in civvy street once they’ve left the Armed Forces. You can help to raise money to support their work.

Getting stuck in…

Volunteer for Citizens Advice Manchester as a digital advice coach. You would welcome clients at one of their Digital Hubs based around the city and help with their queries, supporting them to access online information and self-help resources.

Your support will undoubtedly be remembered by those you help, and it could encourage them to use their own skills and expertise in their communities.

Asylum seekers and refugees

New to this?..

There’s often a lot of negative press about refugees and asylum seekers in the media. If you see a positive news story about a refugee or asylum seeker in your area, why not share it online to help change the conversation?

Like to do more?..

Freedom From Torture helps torture survivors to find their voices again and rebuild their lives. Take a look at their website and sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date with their news and the ways in which you can support their work.

Getting stuck in…

The Greater Manchester Refugee Service is part of the British Red Cross and relies on volunteers to help people find vital services, and then escort them to those services. Because refugees often cannot speak English or use local transport at first, this helps them become more independent.

Poverty

New to this?..

There are food banks across Greater Manchester (the Trussell Trust show you where your nearest one is here). You could organise a food collection in your workplace just by sending an email.

Like to do more?..

Persuade your employer to pay a real Living Wage that meets the cost of living and get accredited with the Living Wage Foundation.

Hold a session in your workplace to discuss how you can take action on poverty pay. Together, we can make Greater Manchester a Living Wage City Region in which every worker can live with dignity, and let them know what you are up to by tweeting @GMLivingWage or search ‘Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign' to find them on Facebook.

Getting stuck in…

Wood Street Mission is a children’s charity based in the centre of Manchester. They help to alleviate the effects of poverty on children and their families by providing practical help.

From becoming an ambassador and promoting their work by giving speeches at schools, places of worship and community groups, to ordering a Home Collection Box and collecting spare change, remembering the charity in your will or even donating school uniform your own kids have outgrown, there are lots of different ways to help.

Young people

New to this?..

RECLAIM is a youth leadership and social change organisation helping to support and amplify the voices of working class young people. Why not follow them on Twitter or Facebook and help them to spread their message further by sharing their messages and campaigns with your networks?

Like to do more?..

Francis House is a children’s hospice providing a home from home for children and young people with life threatening conditions, as well as support and short-term rest for their families.

There are lots of ways to support Francis House – from Bridge afternoons and charity runs to antiques valuations and golfing days – check out their events page and fundraising page to find out more.

Getting stuck in…

If you’ve got an hour or two to spare at either end of your day, you could help Young People's Support Foundation with their breakfast or evening drop-ins, perhaps manning the reception or providing a friendly ear to a young person in crisis. And if you brought a friend along with you, they could see first-hand the incredible work going on in our city centre.

For more information about Common Cause Foundation, visit http://valuesandframes.org/