A study released on 2 June as part of Volunteers' Week revealed that 42,000 students contribute 3.5 million hours and 42m to the economy each year. But Will Venters, chair of Student Volunteering England, said it showed that only just over two per cent of higher education students in England volunteered.
Venters, who has been appointed to the Russell Commission inquiry into a national youth volunteering strategy, said: "We believe every student in England should have the opportunity to volunteer."
He added: "Involving students in the community should be a key aim for all institutions. Not only does it aid a student's personal development and enhance their employability, volunteering also improves the attraction and retention of students by promoting the attitudes essential for success."
www.studentvolunteering.org.uk.
