Opinion: Why not introduce a national service?

The two ideas are linked but are quite different. Volunteering is about free choice, as Terry Ryall, chief executive of v, noted. National service is quite another thing and, though it may involve some choice, it cannot (generally) be avoided. That was the case with national military service and seems to be the case in relation to the national community service being suggested by Darra Singh, of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion.

When I was at secondary school, Friday afternoons were given over, for the younger kids, to either the Combined Cadet Force or the Scouts. That was it. The 'choice' was extended for those in the sixth form to include 'community service'. Even this was limited: you were expected to offer your services to a voluntary organisation called Care for the Elderly that helped "our poorer neighbours on our doorstep", as the headmaster put it. Through it, I discovered a host of new experiences. Yes, I visited old people in their homes and in their day centres, but I also helped to build an adventure playground and worked with mums and their children.