“CSV welcomes the over-arching objective of the White Paper to support the development and creation of conditions for a more giving society.  We also welcome the injection of some money towards volunteering in England. At this point we are very unclear where and how that money will be spent to support volunteering and local social action. (Monday 23 May, 2011)

“It’s important to underline that giving time and energy has value alongside giving money, and that building a strong society involves the encouragement of both.

“If more people are to be encouraged to give time, there has to be more encouragement of high quality opportunities for which volunteers can give that time. To this end we support the encouragement of professionals in the public sector to work alongside volunteers to add value to the services that they deliver in schools, hospitals, prisons and care settings and also encourage the civil service itself to engage in social action where possible.

“Ministers undertaking a day a year of voluntary service is a good start. CSV will today extend an invitation to Government and the Civil Service to work alongside the tens-of-thousands of volunteers who will deliver social action in communities throughout the UK during this year’s Make a Difference Day on Saturday 29th October.

“We particularly welcome the notion of the social action fund because we have always recognised the importance of reaching the most marginalised people and deprived areas in the country. However, £10 million is a very small amount to meet this important challenge.

“It will be crucial to ensure that the resources given to support infrastructure agencies also supports the frontline delivery of community action through organisations such as CSV.  We will continue to work closely with the other member charities in the Network of National Volunteer Involving Agencies (NNVIA) which plays a key role in delivering a wide range of social benefits through volunteering. ”

Further press information: Jason Tanner on 07941 433598 / 020 7812 0037 or Francesca Toma on 020 7812 0038 / 07966 168686

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. Last year 165,666 people gave their time as volunteers through CSV. The charity trained 13,423 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk

2)    NNVIA is a network of national charities that aims to share experience amongst agencies which involve volunteers on a nationwide basis. Members include: Action for Children  ∙  Age UK  ∙  Alzheimer's Society  ∙  Attend  ∙  Barnardo's  ∙  British Waterways  ∙  BTCV  ∙  Catch-22  ∙  Charities Advisory Trust  ∙  Citizens Advice  ∙  Community Service Volunteers (CSV)  ∙  Deafblind UK  ∙  Family Action  ∙  Guide Dogs for the Blind Association   ∙  Jewish Care   ∙  Leonard Cheshire Disability   ∙  Livability   ∙  Macmillan Cancer Support  ∙  Mencap  ∙  Multiple Sclerosis Society  ∙  Nacro  ∙  The National Trust  ∙  Novas Scarman  ∙  NSPCC  ∙  Parkinson's Disease Society  ∙  Refugee Council  ∙  RNIB  ∙  RNID  ∙  Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts  ∙  RSPB  ∙  Samaritans  ∙  Scope  ∙  SSAFA  ∙  Tate  ∙  The British Red Cross  ∙  The Children's Society  ∙  The Prince's Trust  ∙  The Rambler’s Association  ∙  The Salvation Army  ∙  The Woodland Trust  ∙  United Kingdom Neighbourhood Watch Trust  ∙  Vitalise  ∙  WRVS  ∙  Youth Hostelling Association