CYP Now - VOLUNTEERING: Beyond Altruism

Volunteering helps young people get skills that employers want. But the number of volunteers is falling. Gordon Collins suggests a solution that could benefit both parties.

Voluntary work is a great way of attaining these skills, but young people will only be attracted if the voluntary sector gets its act together.

Instead of complaining, it needs to go out and actively seek volunteers, rather than just sit back and wait for people to come to it.

The number of people volunteering is falling. Volunteers tend to be White, middle class and over 50, or young people undertaking activities through school or college, or in a gap year.

Lose interest

Few young people who give time when at school carry on doing so after they leave. Those who go onto university have many opportunities to take part in well-organised programmes, but few choose to do so.

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