15 January 2009
Volunteering England, the leading national development agency for volunteering, has welcomed the government’s ‘New Opportunities’ White Paper, which examines social mobility at a number of stages in people’s lives and highlights volunteering as a way to improve young people’s social mobility. However, we believe the White Paper doesn’t go far enough to address the social mobility of adults.
Mike Locke, Director of Public Affairs, said:
“We’re pleased that the Prime Minister’s ‘New Opportunities’ White Paper focuses on volunteering in encouraging social mobility. We’re also happy to see that the paper recognises ‘lifelong chances to succeed’ and the role volunteering can play in supporting social mobility by opening up new pathways to employment and community involvement.
“It’s also good that the paper confirms the Government’s commitment to young people and volunteering and that it has recognised the ways in which volunteering can help.
“However, we feel the Government could do more to address social mobility and volunteering issues for those over the ages of 25, a substantial proportion of the population.
“The White Paper says the Government is committed to offering ‘second, third and fourth chances to people who want to improve their skills and get on throughout their lives’ and we know people often make their chances for themselves through volunteering.
“The paper says ‘it is imperative that the government supports adults to get on as well as young people’, and while we warmly welcome the Government’s promises to extend educational support throughout people’s lives, with financial support for those who wish to retrain, gain new qualifications and get better jobs, we can’t help but notice the lack of any practical support for adult volunteering.
“We would like the Government to back up its commitments with resources to support the recruitment and management of volunteers and the development of volunteering opportunities for people of all ages.
“Nationally, there is network of volunteer centres, which are well placed to encourage and support volunteers of all ages and can have a huge impact on helping the government to achieve its ambitions for volunteering. Yet many volunteer centres are currently facing crises regarding the future of their funding.
“We look forward to further discussions about encouraging volunteering among people looking for employment and about helping Job Centres apply the benefits regulations from the Department for Work and Pensions in support of volunteering. This is particularly important because it’s essential that local Job Centres co-operate with local volunteer centres in supporting people’s volunteering.”
NOTES
- Media Contact: Kimberley Rowley, Senior Press and PR Officer, 020 7520 8932, kimberley.rowley@volunteeringengland.org
- Volunteering England is a membership organisation and the leading development agency for volunteering in England. We are the authoritative voice on volunteering issues, advising organisations, government departments and volunteers on policy and good practice.
- For more information please visit www.volunteeringengland.org.uk
