The minister was speaking at a parliamentary reception to mark the end of the 18-month programme, which helped young people who have previously taken part in the government’s National Citizen Service (NCS) to continue their involvement in social action.
Hurd said the National Youth Agency-led programme had helped engage young people. “The generation coming through now could be the most socially responsible we have seen.”
Think Big gave £200,000 of grants to fund more than 700 youth-led community projects, enabling 2,300 NCS graduates to continue their involvement in social action. In addition, 4,000 other young people have been involved as Think Big project leaders.
Research carried out for the Durham University found that 84 per cent of Think Big participants gave at least 10 hours of their time to a project, with 40 per cent giving more than 30 hours.
More than half of participants indicated that their involvement in the programme made it likely or very likely they would continue to do voluntary work in the future.
Think Big was delivered in partnership with Telefonica O2 and the Cabinet Office.
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