Opinion: Hot issue - Isn't paying young people to volunteer missingthe point?

YES: Susanne Rauprich, chief executive, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services

Paying young people to volunteer risks devaluing the work of other young volunteers and undermining the principles of volunteering itself, encroaching on the benefits of civic participation for society and social cohesion.

For individuals, the benefits of community action are manifold and include gaining new skills, confidence and opportunities to travel, as well as having fun. Experience and skills gained in voluntary work may often lead to employment. But if a voluntary role becomes a core part of an organisation, the young person should be offered proper paid employment.

Paying young people to volunteer at a rate that may not reflect the national minimum wage could lead to them being exploited as cheap labour. Instead, involving young people at every stage of the design and development of a youth action project is more likely to ensure their participation.