For students concerned at their carbon footprint and looking to achieve more from their gap year than a great tan, an affordable alternative after A-level results day (Thursday 16 August 2007) is to take a time out in the UK with CSV, the UK’s leading volunteering charity.

With gap years abroad costing as much as £5,000,(1) CSV provides an option that does not cost a penny or the Earth. CSV offers UK based gap years lasting 4-12 months. Volunteers still get to live away from home and are provided with free accommodation, food and travel expenses, plus a weekly living allowance. (2) CSV volunteers support young offenders, homeless people and adults with learning difficulties as well as helping people with physical disabilities lead independent lives.

Another advantage of a UK gap year is that it is an effective way of building up skills essential to the workplace. Research by CSV (3) finds that 79% of graduate recruiters believe that graduates that volunteer possess skills to help them climb the company ladder more quickly.

Is Szoneberg, CSV Director for gap year volunteering, says: “We are becoming increasingly aware that young people are looking for more from a gap year than just a 12 month beach holiday. As well as concerns about the impact of flying, rising university costs mean young people are also really keen to get experience that will help them land their dream job. Volunteering with CSV not only gives them immense life experience but provides them with skills in communication and problem solving and team building that should help them with any future job interview.”

Case studies

Heidi Browne, aged 19 and from Peebles near Edinburgh, volunteers to support a disabled student at Reading University complete their studies.

Heidi says: “I didn’t want to just take a gap year abroad and have an extended holiday. I feel I can do that at any time. I wanted to do something that helped other people and so I decided to volunteer with CSV in the UK. I also want to join the police after graduating university and I think this year in the community will help my application.

“Along with two other volunteers I support a student with muscular dystrophy who needs 24 hour care as he can’t move any of his muscles. I find volunteering very rewarding and it is good to know you are making a difference to someone’s life. I have also enjoyed living on campus and mixing with the students. Volunteering with CSV is definitely a good way of taking a year out.”

Naomi Somerville-Large, aged 19 and from Broxboune, Hertfordshire, volunteers with CSV at the Vocal Project in Downham Market, Norfolk helping adults with learning disabilities gain life skills.

“I wanted to volunteer because I’ve never been the sort of person who wanted just to relax. I did look at travelling around the Far East but I thought a UK gap year would offer me good experience and also it doesn’t cost me a thing.

“The people I help have a range of conditions including autism and Down’s syndrome. I would say most have the mental age of a five year old. The overall aim of the project is to help them gain the confidence to also volunteer in projects locally and to show society that they have a lot to offer.

“Working with people with disabilities has been a life changing experience for me. I think volunteering like this is a great thing to do.”

For volunteer information and an application pack about gap year volunteering for people aged 16+ call 0800 374 991 or visit the website www.csv.org.uk/gapyear to apply online.

For further press information: Paul Donohoe 020 7812 0037/0779 624 385 pdonohoe@csv.org.ukor Jason Tanner 020 7812 0038 jtanner@csv.org.uk.

Notes for Editors

1. Volunteers can start their 4-12 month placement at any time during the year. Full-time volunteers must be 16+. There is no upper age limit. Volunteers could be given the opportunity to work on exciting projects with homeless people, refugees, socially excluded young people, disabled people and the elderly. Each full-time away from home volunteer receives a £32 weekly allowance and an additional £38 per week to spend on food (if meals are not included). They also receive free accommodation at their project and all out of pocket expenses are paid.

2. www.the-backpacking-site.com

3. CSV Reports on Time Well Spent, August 2000, page 2. (89 companies from the 450 members of the Association of Graduate Recruiters responded to a CSV survey in July 2000.)

4. 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. Last year 227,000 people gave 5 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. CSV trains 12,705 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk