Action for Happiness

[1] It aims to increase the happiness in the world by bringing together people and supporting them to take practical action to build a happier society.

[3] AfH was co-founded in 2010 by Richard Layard (Director of the Wellbeing Programme at the Centre for Economic Performance and Emeritus Professor of Economics at LSE), Sir Anthony Seldon (Historian and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham), Geoff Mulgan (CEO of Nesta and former CEO of the Young Foundation) and Dr Mark Williamson (who has been its Director since the start).

Their research evidence suggests these Ten Keys are areas which are in the influence of the individual and consistently tend to have a positive impact on people's happiness and well-being.

AfH activities include running 8-week "Exploring What Matters" courses, which have been organized by volunteers at over 250 places around the world and have been "wholeheartedly supported" by the Dalai Lama.

Participants in the course showed improvements in subjective wellbeing, reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety and enhanced levels of compassion and social trust.

AfH runs monthly events in London with expert speakers from around the world presenting on themes related to happiness.

[19] The AfH board includes Prof Richard Layard, Sir Anthony Seldon, Geoff Mulgan, Vanessa King and Dr Mark Williamson.

[20] Richard Layard's 2011 book "Happiness: Lessons from a New Science" included research showing that mental illness is the main cause of unhappiness.

I think the next 20 years is going to be about massively proactive ways to look after your mental health and your social and emotional well-being, and to really think about what happiness means and how it can be achieved.

"[23] AfH has also been criticised for pursuing an individual approach to happiness, rather than focusing on societal negative issues such as inequality.