Volunteering England response to DfID Platform 2 volunteering scheme

Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England, said:

“Volunteering England is very supportive of the Platform 2 youth volunteering scheme and welcomes the opportunities it offers young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to volunteer abroad. We are particularly pleased that the scheme will encourage the young people to volunteer in the UK on their return and bring some of the positive learning to home-based projects. However, we would want to ensure that this passion for volunteering is properly harnessed, so young people can be supported in their volunteering throughout their adult lives.

“To this end we urge the Government to invest in sustainably funded infrastructure that goes beyond youth volunteering, in line with the recommendations by the Commission on the Future of Volunteering, and work with existing infrastructure agencies and volunteer-involving organisations to ensure the volunteers enjoy a positive experience throughout the length of their volunteering journey.”

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Notes to editors

• For more information or interviews please contact Cat Dean on 020 7520 8932 or email cat.dean@volunteeringengland.org.
• Volunteering England aims to improve the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England. For more information please visit www.volunteering.org.uk
• The Volunteering England Convention Transforming Passion into Power: Volunteering at the heart of social change is being held on 23-25 April 2008. Make sure the dates are in your diary. For regular updates, visit www.volunteering.org.uk/convention