The impact and value for money of full-time ‘gap year’ volunteers on public services and on the lives of the people they support is set out in a new report published on Wednesday 23 February.

The report by CSV demonstrates how its army of full time volunteers support young offenders, homeless people, adults with learning difficulties and carers. (Download report here).

More than 11,000 volunteers have committed the equivalent of 6,000 years of their time through CSV in the last 10 years.

The report coincides with the build-up to the findings of the Russell Commission which will advise government on a new national framework for youth action and engagement in their communities. There is speculation that Gordon Brown may give his backing to widespread gap year opportunities for the young. CSV wants to see an NHS Corps, Education Corps and Care Corps created to increase opportunities to volunteer in public services.

CSV’s report reveals that 76% of full-time volunteers feel the experience offers a chance to experience independence, with 71% indicating that volunteering gave them a chance to mature. 90% of CSV full-time volunteers indicate that they would like to carry on volunteering in the future. The report also shows that the majority of its volunteers are aged between 18 and 34 years old with a two-thirds (65%) take-up of opportunities by women and a further third (35%) by men.

CSV volunteers work with a variety of groups and individuals including young people at Quarriers, a supported living project in North Ayrshire in Scotland. Many of the young people are particularly vulnerable and have difficulties in forming and sustaining relationships.

Speaking about three recently recruited volunteers, Ian Hughes, Service Manager at Quarriers said: “CSV volunteers bring something unique to the field of social care… and have contributed significantly to our work. There is little doubt that the volunteers are on a steep learning curve given the difficulties associated with working with young people who are often difficult to motivate and suffer from low self-esteem.”

Claire Reid (19), from Fife, gave her time to support a final year student with cerebral palsy at university in Coventry. Claire said: “I get a sense of achievement from having done something unselfish. The skills I have learnt – such as effective communication and team work – will be useful for any kind of career.”

CSV is using the report to help Government recognise how the energy of young people can be successfully channelled into benefiting their communities as part of its response to the Russell Commission.

Executive Director of CSV, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, said: “Full-time volunteers giving a year of service make a hugely needed impact in health, education and care. Not only do they help people directly, but they support over-stretched staff who welcome their dependability. In the long-term, the experience of total immersion in tackling community problems develops more active citizens and much needed teachers, doctors, nurses and care workers for the future. In terms of value for money, the cost of organising full-time volunteers comes out top in terms of cost per hour of service.”

CSV offers full-time volunteering opportunities to people over 16 years of age who commit to between 4-12 months on community projects. They receive free accommodation, food and travel expenses, plus a weekly living allowance. Further information on how to volunteer full-time is available on 0800 374991 or www.csv.org.uk/fulltimevolunteering

Involving a full-time CSV volunteer costs our partners in the order of £8,000 per year. Volunteers give up to 40 hours per week of their time. This makes the cost to those who involve full-time volunteers approximately £2.80 per hour. These costs include meals or a food allowance of £36.50 per week and weekly ‘pocket money’ of £30 per week.

The positive impact of volunteers is being demonstrated throughout the Year of the Volunteer which is being coordinated by CSV and Volunteering England with the backing of the Home Office.

Year of the Volunteer 2005 is led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office. www.yearofthevolunteer.org