Volunteering can transform lives; it is something I have experienced both within and beyond the workplace.
The benefits of volunteering allow people to learn new skills and discover strengths in themselves which will not only prove valuable later on in life, but will help to create and develop the business leaders of tomorrow.
I believe the Russell Commission can make a valuable contribution by taking a fresh look at how best to engage young people in activities.
The objective of the Russell Commission is to develop a new national framework for youth action and engagement. The work of the Commission will identify the current volunteering landscapes, including international comparisons. It will allow us to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of access to volunteering opportunities and consider new approaches to UK youth volunteering. From there we will be able to recommend a proposed measurable action to government.
We have established two advisory groups; the Independent Advisory Group involves young people alongside key movers from the voluntary sector and business world, while the Young People’s Advisory Group will ensure the Commission’s recommendations hit home with the target audience.
We are now working towards the launch of a nationwide consultation programme. The views and experiences of businesses, within and outside their organisations, will form a key part of this process, as well as the voluntary sector itself.
The outcomes of this consultation will be analysed and tested with MPs and both official advisory groups next January.
The consultation exercise is to gain a complete and comprehensive picture of what is out there. We are not seeking to invent a new volunteering initiative but to build on the existing infrastructure and the huge amount of the great work being done at the moment.
But at the outset, there are two points, which I feel are important:
firstly, despite the hard-working efforts of a myriad of organisations throughout the country, many young people do not seem to know how to volunteer, where to go, who to ask for help, why they should be taking part and how it can benefit them
the second impression I have gained from initial discussions with the advisory groups, is that we need to ensure that young people do not suffer financially because of their engagement in community service. They do not want to gain financially from volunteering, but they do not want to miss out either.
I hope we will find a way, through the Russell Commission, to widen access, remove barriers to volunteering and find innovative ways to involve excluded young people in exciting volunteering opportunities.
Editorial Comment
To feed into the public consultation, contact the Russell Commission at any of the following:
Ian was appointed chief executive of ScottishPower in 2001. Prior to joining the international energy company in 1994, he held senior finance positions with HSBC and Tomkins. He is a member of the Scottish Council of the Prince’s Trust and was previously HRH Ambassador for CSR in Scotland. To feed into the public consultation, contact the Russell Commission at any of the following: tel: 020 7035 5147email: russell.commission@homeoffice.gsi.gov.ukpost: : Russell Commission Review Team, c/o Active Communities Directorate, Home Office, Allington Towers, Allington Street, London SW1E 5EBFor more information see: www.russellcommission.org
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