Speaking about the key recommendations of the Manifesto for Change from the Commission on the Future of Volunteering, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, Executive Director of CSV, the UK’s leading volunteering charity, said:

“We are pleased that the Commission has included key recommendations from CSV such as the setting of targets for Government involving its own staff in volunteering and the value of expanding CSV Make a Difference Day.

“Every department of state should launch a strategy to involve citizens in its work and support volunteer involvement in its area of responsibility.

“Volunteers add value to the work of professionals in schools, hospitals prisons and social services. They reduce re-offending, transform the lives of mental health service users and improve classroom behaviour and attainment in schools.

“Government should require training for teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers and police to include citizen engagement.

“Volunteers should be recognised at every level of the honours system and the calculation of the Gross Domestic Product should include volunteers’ contribution. Senior volunteers alone have contributed over £42 billion at minimum wage valuation.

“Successive governments have affirmed the value of volunteers in both service delivery and as strengtheners of civil society and builders of social capital.  Were volunteers not involved, the nation would be in crisis as frail older people, mental health service users and abused children lost their critical support.

“However, there are costs for: recruiting, screening, checking, matching, supporting and recognising volunteers. It is time that Government meet these costs, so that volunteer organisers can focus their energy on involving volunteers; not continuously seeking funds to enable it to happen.”

Further CSV press information: Jason Tanner or Paul Donohoe on 020 7812 0038/37 or 07943 433598.

Dated: Monday 28th January 2008

Notes for editors

1. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. In 2006/7 229,869 people gave time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trained 12,309 people of all ages and linked 29,000 people to learning through BBC Local Radio.

2. Information on the Commission is at: http://www.volcomm.org.uk/