V: Charity presses experts to see volunteering as way into work for young people

Monday, 26 October 2009 12:00 AM

With youth unemployment nudging one million people, a leading charity has today claimed volunteering is a solution for preventing a "lost generation".

In a special lecture organized by v, The National Young Volunteers Service, and featuring speeches by former Bank of England Monetary Committee Member Professor David Blanchflower and David Willetts, MP, Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills, delegates heard about the benefits not only to the individual, but to the state, of young people volunteering.

v's Chief Executive Terry Ryall commented:
"We know from our work with 100,000s of young people that the recession is hitting them hard. Volunteering, particularly by those young people who are disadvantaged and marginalised, provides them with the skills and experience to find work and to keep it. For the State, this means less benefits being paid out and more taxes coming in. Volunteering is a solid investment. We're pleased that all the political parties and business recognise this and call for continued investment now and for the future."

According to the latest figures from the Labour Force Survey, people aged 16 - 24 make up 38% of all unemployed people. The lecture, held at the RSA and entitled 'Lost Generation? Recession and the young,' brought together a powerful partnership of key organisations, thinkers and young people to discuss what can be done to tackle the problem.

v's Chief Executive Terry Ryall continued:
"Figures show that young people are more likely to be victims of the recession, with nearly 20% of under 25s unemployed compared to less than 8% of the overall population. At v, we've seen a 200% surge in volunteering applications over the last year. As a youth led organisation we know that 16-25 year olds are looking at new ways of building up their CV to help them stand out from the crowd. We've created 900,000 volunteering opportunities, available at vinspired.com, from environmental projects to fashion, helping individuals and the community."

Research among employers and young people backs up the value of volunteering during the recession. YouGov research earlier in the year showed that three-quarters (72%) of employers agree or strongly agree that volunteering can have a positive effect on an individual's career progression, while IpsosMORI research has shown that over half (57%) of young people would consider volunteering if unemployment levels continue to rise.

Rebecca Collins, 25, volunteered with v teaching children and adults about fruit growing. "When I was unemployed volunteering was all I was living for. It gave me confidence and experience and played a massive part in my getting a job."

To arrange an interview, photos, video footage and case study opportunities, please contact Paul Werb 020 79607011/07793268051

About v

v, The National Young Volunteers Service aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers (aged 16-25) in England. It does this by funding voluntary organisations all over England to create inspiring, diverse opportunities and by helping to overcome barriers that stop people from taking action to improve lives, communities and the planet. v's aim is to create a culture where volunteering comes naturally and where the benefits of volunteering are understood and celebrated.

v is an independent charity launched in May 2006 as a result of the Russell Commission report, A National Framework for Youth Action and Engagement.

See vinspired.com for more information (including full copies of the reports)

Lost Generation? Young People Recession and the Young

The lecture was held at RSA on 26 October 2009, 10am to 12.30. Keynote speech was by Professor David Blanchflower. Panel discussion included David Willetts, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Universities and Skills, Wes Streeting, President of National Union of Students, Miles Templeman, Director-General of Institute of Directors and Terry Ryall, Chief Executive of v. There was also 30 young people in the audience posing questions from the floor

Young People Speak Out: Attitudes to and Perceptions of Volunteering

June 2009: The first ever comprehensive research into young people's attitudes and perceptions of full-time volunteering. The evidence from the survey of 1,997 young people, discussion groups and case studies suggests full time volunteering should remain as one option of a flexible and diverse range of opportunities. The research highlights the importance of young people's freedom to choose the most appropriate placement and the continued need to raise awareness and challenge the perceptions of volunteering. The research looks at the specific needs of disabled young people and those not in education or employment (NEET) in relation to full time volunteering.

Employer Survey: Attitudes to Volunteering and Career Progression

January 2009: To coincide with the launch of the vinspired award scheme, v commissioned YouGov to undertake a survey of employers to further explore how much and why employers value the skills that can be obtained through volunteering experiences. The results help to feed into the debate about the benefits of volunteering for career progression.

Labour Force Survey, October 2009

Unemployed aged 16 to 24, June to August 2009, 946,000. For March to May 2009, 927,000 people.

Unemployed of all ages, June to August 2009, 948,000.

    Tags:

Disclaimer: Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the originating company or organisation.

Related stories

Government launches new youth volunteering scheme today

volunteering

Young people will be encouraged to volunteer in their community following today's launch of the Youth Community Action programme.

Prince's Trust: Some young people lack work skills

 Politics.co.uk

Martina Milburn, chief executive of youth charity The Prince's Trust, tells the Telegraph of worries that unemployed youth will face:

Benefit fears 'put people off volunteering'

Politics.co.uk

Benefit fears 'put people off volunteering'

500,000 young people 'trapped in no-win situations'

Half a million teenagers in no-win situation

New charity Catch 22 says around 500,000 young people in Britain are trapped in no-win situations.

Young people reject Westminster politics

Young people uncertain about party politics.

Young people are more likely to vote in reality TV shows than cast their ballot at the next general election, according to a new poll.

NASUWT: Government is betraying young people

NASUWT: Government is betraying young people

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, criticises "betrayal" of young people.

comments comments

Young people set to vote in mock elections

Politics.co.uk

Away from the main general election campaign, there is a second voting extravaganza going on - in schools.

The Neet solution: Clegg outlines plan for young people

The Neet solution: Clegg outlines plan for young people

Nick Clegg will today outline the government's plan to deal with the problem of "Neets" - young people not in education, employment or training.

comments comments

Young people gain government's ear

Three winners will get to lobby the Cabinet

A new initiative is handing young people the opportunity to lobby members of the Cabinet directly.

Press Releases

Terry Ryall: When traditional education fails, we must start to look at what other sectors can offer

David Miliband MP supports Team V food poverty campaign

v: New national volunteering programme gives young leaders a chance to shine

v: Leading CEOs offer government help in wake of riots

v: Lets not allow the riots to overshadow the positive contribution of young people

V: Young People advise MPs to get down with the digital generation

V: Strengthening the knowledge base for the Big Society

V: Young People to decide on their role in Big Society

v to launch Big Society Youth Inquiry

v and The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, together with local partners, will deliver National Citizen Service "Summer of a Lifetime" pilot

More Articles ...

Twitter

Join the conversation at #opinion_formers

Related Opinion Former Press Releases

v: New national volunteering programme gives young leaders a chance to shine

Applications are open for a new volunteering scheme that will place young people at the forefront of social change in their communities.

ESRC: Young people lead the way in communities working together

As police and politicians seek fast-track solutions to the recent violence on the streets of England’s cities, student volunteers and teachers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have started a new project, ‘Global Youth Leaders’, which is part of a long-term programme using young people as mentors in deprived communities in Britain and abroad.

NUT: It is hard to see how the Education Secretary can justify spending tax payers? money in this way

NUT comment on Cost and Impact of Academies and Free Schools

Special event coverage

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

Voice: Feeling stressed? Understand yourself? Now, move forward Conference

Application forms are now available for an exciting conference in Manchester. The fun-packed day will give you practical solutions and advice on managing stress and time to help you achieve a work/life balance.

BHA: The Marriage Debate - ‘This house would legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales'

Two weeks before the Government’s consultation on same-sex marriage draws to a close, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association is participating in a debate hosted by Catholic Voices on the motion, ‘This House Would Legalise Same-Sex Marriage’.

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference

This one-day event is targeted at professionals operating in the information destruction industry, and aims at keeping delegates updated on recent developments in their sector, providing an opportunity to network with fellow professionals, whilst offering access to an informative exhibition and a comprehensive conference programme.

ABI: The Future of Long-term Savings & Retirement Income - Automatic Enrolment and Beyond Conference

The Future of Long-term Savings & Retirement Income - Automatic Enrolment and Beyond Conference

Take the Gold Challenge for St Dunstan's

We provide lifelong support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. You can help give more blind heroes an independent future by taking the Gold Challenge

TACT: 2013 Virgin London Marathon

Join TACT at one of the greatest sporting events on the planet and help give a child in care a future to smile about.

Newsletter sign up

By signing-up you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

Unsubscribe