Disabled young people to benefit from volunteering fund
Tom Lloyd
Monday, March 10, 2008
A scheme to increase involvement in volunteering among hard to reach groups is to be piloted in three areas of England.
The government is investing £2m over two years in the programme, which will initially be targeted at disabled people. If it is successful the scheme could be expanded to other areas and groups.
The announcement is part of the government's response to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering report, Manifesto for Change, which was published in January.
The commission made a series of recommendations to improve support for volunteers, and highlighted the importance of getting young people involved.
The government has backed many of the recommendations, and has said it will spend £4m on training programmes for volunteers and volunteer managers.
It declined to create a cabinet level post on volunteering, and also ruled out further investment in local volunteering schemes.
Third sector minister Phil Hope said: "The government is committed to opening up volunteering opportunities for people in all parts of society because it gives so much to the community and so much to the volunteer."
The announcement is part of the government's response to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering report, Manifesto for Change, which was published in January.
The commission made a series of recommendations to improve support for volunteers, and highlighted the importance of getting young people involved.
The government has backed many of the recommendations, and has said it will spend £4m on training programmes for volunteers and volunteer managers.
It declined to create a cabinet level post on volunteering, and also ruled out further investment in local volunteering schemes.
Third sector minister Phil Hope said: "The government is committed to opening up volunteering opportunities for people in all parts of society because it gives so much to the community and so much to the volunteer."
