The National Youth Agency: Comment - Voluntary obligation?

There's talk of encouraging young people to participate, of "incentivising", of universality. So far, so good - here at The NYA we're keen to ensure that more young people experience the benefits of well-planned, well-supported voluntary activity. But Mr Cameron has also said that "every school-leaver would have to do three to four months' voluntary work in the community". A curious juxtaposition here - to "have to" do "voluntary" work (not to mention the possibility of volunteering within the armed forces).

There's also the question of what young people would do. As many young people have found, while some volunteer-involving organisations offer activities that fit their skills, interests and circumstances, many simply do not. It's hard to match the fine words about offering young people life-changing experiences that meet real community needs, with the "one-size-fits-all" requirement of three months' service between the ages of 16 and 18.