YouthNet transfers ownership of youth volunteering website

Red Trust, which promotes the use of digital technologies to support volunteering and social action, was selected as the new owner of the website by YouthNet and the Office for Civil Society (OCS) in the Cabinet Office after making an application during an extensive open process.??

Do-it was founded in 2001 with the aim of connecting young people with volunteering opportunities, but its remit has since expanded to include adults. Its growth into sectors outside of YouthNet's core area of work prompted its decision to look for a new owner. ??

The website will be taken over by Red Trust, the owner of volunteering social networking site ivo.org, in December.

Jamie Ward-Smith, chief executive of Red Trust, is keen to build on YouthNet’s legacy. He said: “We have exciting plans for Do-it’s future and we have put together a great team that will enable Do-it to continue to power volunteering and civil society for many years to come.??

“This is a chance to combine things I am passionate about and I can’t wait to get started.

YouthNet’s chief executive Emma Thompson said: “As YouthNet continues its ambitious plans to double the number of young people we support by 2016, we are confident of the absolute commitment the team led by Ward-Smith to continue as a key part of the volunteering landscape and we are excited about the future.??

“We will be working with the ivo.org-led partnership and the OCS to ensure that there is no disruption to service during the transition and all users will be fully supported.

Minister for civil society Nick Hurd has confirmed that the OCS will continue to fund the website once it has been passed to Red Trust. He said: “Do-it is a very important asset. The new management team have an ambitious vision which we support. I hope the whole sector will get behind it.”