School-leavers encouraged toward voluntary work

Young people from low-income backgrounds are to get extra support to become volunteers for a year after they finish school, college or training.

Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke and Home Secretary David Blunkett today announced the details of a pilot scheme which will give young people an allowance of £45-a-week to encourage them to become volunteers.

The £5 million Young Volunteer Challenge, which begins in May, will benefit 1,200 young people aged 18 to 21 through pilots in 10 areas throughout England. Those who take part will also get a lump sum of £750 after 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.

Mr Clarke said: "The government is committed to supporting volunteering in our communities. It is vital that we give young people the opportunity to do it from a young age because it offers them unique learning experiences which stay with them throughout their lives."

The government has set a target of increasing community participation by 5% by 2006. Currently, the Home Office Citizenship survey showed that more than 18 million people in England aged 16 and over were regularly active in their communities – the government want to increase this number by 900,000 by 2006.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said the scheme would afford an opportunity for people to "make a positive contribution to their communities".

"Volunteering develops the individual, strengthens the community and enriches the nation. This pilot is clear evidence of our commitment to increase the numbers of people who volunteer, especially those who wouldn't normally consider doing so or have the financial means to give up there time," Mr Blunkett said.

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.

(GMcG)