Citation
(2003), "More support for volunteers", Education + Training, Vol. 45 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2003.00445fab.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
More support for volunteers
More support for volunteers
Young people from low-income backgrounds are to get extra government support to become volunteers for a year after they finish school, college or training. Education secretary Charles Clarke and home secretary David Blunkett announced the details of a pilot scheme which will give young people an allowance of £45 a week to encourage them to become volunteers. Those who take part will also get a lump sum of £750 after successfully completing nine months of volunteering, and may qualify for housing, council-tax and health benefits. They will also have meals and travel costs paid for by volunteering providers.
The £5 million Young Volunteer Challenge, which began in May, will benefit 1,200 young people aged 18 to 21 through pilots in ten areas throughout England. To take part, volunteers must commit to at least 30 hours a week. The initiative is being delivered by the Department for Education and Skills to encourage more young people, whatever their backgrounds, to go into volunteering before continuing their learning. It contributes to the government drive to increase volunteering and community involvement throughout the country.
The initiative will be run in selected education-maintenance allowance (EMA) areas, where there are a high number of young people from low-income families. Young people who have qualified for the EMA, because they are from households with an income of £13,000 or less, will be able to take part.