This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Programme for young volunteers
11/05/2004
A flagship volunteering programme was announced today,
to give young Scots a unique opportunity to contribute to
their community and their country, while learning new
skills.
First Minister Jack McConnell was joined by former
Businesswoman of the Year, Julia Ogilvy, to announce the
creation of 'Project Scotland' - a national full time
volunteering programme that goes live in Spring 2005.
'Project Scotland' is a unique partnership between the
Scottish Government, the private and voluntary sectors. It
has already won the support from companies such as Scottish
Power, HBOS, Standard Life and Lloyds TSB Scotland.
Market research showed that young Scots, regardless of
their backgrounds, were very keen to contribute to their
community, while at the same time developing new
skills.
The research was used to frame the programme, the main
elements of which are:
• A modular approach - up to 3 modules of 3-4 months
during a calendar year.
• Volunteers will receive a living allowance.
• A grant could be available to volunteers at the end
of their placement to help open doors to education,
training or business start-up.
• The creation of a new delivery agency, independent
of government, to run the scheme and source private sector
investment.
The First Minister said:
"Project Scotland has been designed by young people. It
gives them what they asked for in the way they want it.
"It's about the long term. We want to move from a
culture of dependence to a culture of responsibility.
"Everywhere I go in Scotland I make a point of meeting
Scottish youngsters. And they are amazing. They are
increasingly bright, articulate and have ambitions far
beyond anything I had at that age.
"But now we know they care too. They have deep rooted
values, they have pride in their country and they want to
make a difference to their community.
"And their main motivation is to earn the respect of
others, and to genuinely 'put a smile on the face of
others'.
"Project Scotland gives young Scots the chance of a
lifetime. It is the chance for them to do something
exceptional for themselves, their community and their
country. It is an opportunity for them to show to the
world the kind of Scotland that our country will become.
"I have been enormously impressed by, and am
extremely grateful to Julia Ogilvy and her group. They have
taken the spark of an idea and have turned it into
something that will be truly special for Scotland."
Julia Ogilvy, Founder and Chairperson of Project
Scotland said:
"Project Scotland is a real partnership between
government, business and the volunteering sector, all
united in their passion to transform the lives of young
people and create a volunteering culture among young people
in Scotland. The business community has already embraced
the scheme with open arms and we will build on this early
enthusiasm so that this unique partnership is supported
across all sectors.
"As someone who has a close interest both personally
and professionally, in realising the potential of young
people, I look forward to ensuring that Project Scotland
makes a difference, benefiting and impacting on the lives
of both participants and their communities."
Ian Russell, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, said:
"ScottishPower signed up as a founding corporate partner
of Project Scotland for two reasons: the chance to help
young Scots attain their fullest potential, and the
opportunity to invest in people now in order to improve our
nation's future competitiveness. We wish the team every
success and look forward to a long and active partnership
on volunteering."
Mel Ward, President (Elect) NUS Scotland, said:
"An increasing number of young Scots benefit from a gap
year, but there are still a large number of young people
who are excluded from this type of experience.
"This project will give them the chance to learn new
skills, enjoy new experiences and it is a chance for young
Scots to make the most of their own lives, while giving
something back to their community and their country. I
think it is very exciting."
George Thomson, Chief Executive, Volunteer Development
Scotland said:
"Project Scotland is a welcome wake-up call for us all
to appreciate the generosity of our young people towards
others and the need to design volunteer opportunities that
give their desire to make a positive difference full
expression and effect."
The First Minister first mentioned the creation of a
national youth volunteering programme in June last year,
during Volunteers Week to meet the Partnership commitment
to 'encourage the more active involvement of young people
in the lives of their communities and wider society through
the introduction of a scheme, alongside the existing
Millennium Volunteers scheme, which recognises youth
volunteering.' The working title of the programme was
'Scotscorps.'
The First Minister asked Julia Ogilvy, former
Businesswoman of the Year, to set up a working group to
explore the possibilities of the programme. Copies of the
working group's report are available by calling the number
below or from
www.scotland.gov.uk/viu.
As part of the compiling of the report, extensive market
research was carried out as to the nature of volunteering
and young people's attitudes towards it. A summary of the
research is available by calling the number below.
The working group drew on the experience of volunteering
programmes at home and abroad, in particular AmeriCorps. It
was established by President Bill Clinton, and since 1994,
more than 250,000 men and women have served in AmeriCorps.
(
www.americorps.org).
Project Scotland aims to increase the range of young
people in Scotland who are aware of volunteering and the
benefits it brings to volunteers themselves, their
communities and to the organisations involving volunteers.
The programme also aims to improve awareness amongst young
people of how to access volunteering. By 2009, Project
Scotland aims to involve around 1000 young people per annum
in volunteering.
Some of the key features of Project Scotland are:
• an initial focus on 16-25 year olds from all social
backgrounds, but with a concerted effort to attract those
who would not traditionally volunteer;
• the provision of a recognised brand and portal for
a range of quality assured full-time volunteering
opportunities;
• the provision of volunteering opportunities from
new and existing sources, with an emphasis on flexibility,
choice and opportunities for teamwork; and
• an emphasis on creating a brand that has real
currency with prospective employers and with further and
higher education establishments.
The Executive will provide Project Scotland with £1.9m
in 2004/05 and £3.5m for each of the following two years.
By 2008 it is anticipated that 50 per cent of the costs
will come from other sources - mainly the corporate
sector.
The Scottish Executive's Volunteering Strategy is also
published today. The Strategy focuses on Project Scotland
and young people; dismantling the barriers to volunteering
and closing the opportunity gap; improving the volunteering
experience; and monitoring, evaluation and ongoing policy
development. Copies of the report are available from the
number below or from
www.scotland.gov.uk/viu.