The Russell Commission launches recommendations for volunteering

The Russell Commission feels there is an “untapped
potential” for young volunteers to help out within the public
sector in hospital, schools and leisure centres, it emerged today,
writes Clare Jerrom.

The report by the Commission says that the government should
develop and implement strategies to encourage greater levels of
volunteering within public services.

The Commission also recommends the creation of a new national
framework for volunteering opportunities for young people and that
a series of campaigns should be launched to promote the awareness
of volunteering in a bid to encourage young people nationally to
want to participate in volunteering.

A national portal should also be established so that young
people can easily access information about volunteering, the report
claims.

In addition, the Commission recommends that 200 Young Volunteer
Advisers are put in place to ensure that young people receive high
quality advice and guidance about volunteering.

All education institutions should have the volunteering ethos
and have better information about volunteering opportunities. Young
people should also be rewarded for their volunteering skills at an
annual youth volunteering award ceremony.

The report calls for a step change to increase the number of
volunteers available and says that a national framework should
recognise the worth of international volunteering by offering up to
1,000 overseas opportunities.

The Commission stresses, however, that young people on benefits
and their families should not suffer a financial barrier when they
volunteer.