22nd March 2010
Over 200 MPs and parliamentary candidates have demonstrated their support for volunteering by signing up to Volunteering England’s pledge.
Volunteering England, the volunteering development charity, launched its manifesto ‘The Power of Volunteering’ on the 3rd March 2010. The manifesto offers positive steps the next Government can take to strengthen volunteering. As well as advice for how business, public bodies and voluntary and community groups rise to the challenge of helping volunteering to flourish.
MPs and candidates have shown their support for volunteering by signing up to the following pledge proposed by Volunteering England:
I will work hard to support volunteers and organisations that involve volunteers, both in my constituency and across the country. I will do this by:
- Recognising the value of volunteering in building a strong society
- Promoting positive messages about volunteering
- Encouraging more people to give their time by helping free volunteers from red-tape
- Supporting the organisations who support volunteers
MPs and candidates across all three parties have shown their support. Jacqui Smith, David Blunkett, Chloe Smith, Nick Clegg and Tim Loughton were among some of the 200 MPs to add their names to the list.
Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England, said
“Our society has a strong tradition of volunteering of which we can all be proud. But we could be doing even better and our Manifesto offers positive steps that the next Government can take to make this great movement of ours even more accessible, available and relevant to our communities over the next decade.
By signing up to our volunteering pledge, MPs and candidates will help ensure that the value of volunteering continues to be recognised nationally and demonstrate their support for those giving time in local communities across the country.”
David Blunkett said:
"Active citizenship is at the heart of any functioning democracy and, for a society feeling the pressures of global meltdown, giving time to one another is vital.
"This is all about reinforcing civil society but, above all, it is about men and women valuing themselves by valuing the contribution they can make to others."
Nick Clegg said:
“When I travel across the country, I have the privilege of meeting so many dedicated volunteers doing incredible jobs for charities, organisation and their communities.
“Volunteering is a fantastic way for people to give something back but also to learn new skills, make new friends and perhaps take a first step back into employment.”
Chloe Smith commented:
“This is a strong campaign which will help many people up and down the country. Those who give their time or otherwise to volunteering should be applauded. I happily support Volunteering England.”
A full list of signatories and the 'Power of Volunteering' manifesto can be found on the Volunteering England website www.volunteering.org.uk/manifesto
Notes to editor
- For media enquiries please contact Kimberley Rowley on 0207 520 8932 or email Kimberley.rowley@volunteeringengland.org
- Volunteering England is the volunteer development agency for England. We work with private, public and voluntary sector organisations and individuals to increase the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering.
