Cash rewards for young volunteers

Young people from low income families in England will be paid
£45 a week to work at voluntary organisations, under a
government scheme that started last week.

More than 1,000 people from nine areas will be put in placements
ranging from child care to conservation.

The Young Volunteer Challenge, which will run until 2005, is
designed to help develop skills for further learning or
employment.

The scheme, announced by minister for young people and adult skills
Ivan Lewis, is designed to remove the financial barriers that
prevent young people on a low income getting involved in community
service.

They will be awarded a further £750 once they have completed
nine months on the scheme.

“Getting the volunteering habit early encourages lifelong
volunteering and broadens young people’s horizons, helping to
develop the skills and qualities that employers and universities
value,” said Lewis.