Leading charities urge new Government to set up citizen’s Task Force

The Network of National Volunteer-Involving Agencies (NNVIA), made up of 46 agencies that include: The National Trust, Age UK, Attend, CSV and The Refugee Council is calling on the new Government to establish a Task Force to report to the Prime Minister on improving citizen involvement across government services. (Wednesday 12th May 2010)

The Network, as part of its manifesto for change wants greater public involvement in tackling crises that include child protection, care of older people, youth offending, environmental protection and community justice.

Chairman of NNVIA and Executive Director of UK volunteering charity CSV, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, said: “A small dedicated task force could identify the enormous benefits that citizens bring to public services, especially during economic hardship.

“When we are told that some patients are leaving Queen Mary’s hospital a day earlier because a volunteer has helped feed them, then the benefits should be extended throughout the NHS. Volunteers in General Practice enable the doctor to see six patients in the time it would take for a GP to visit a housebound patient’s home, by providing transport to the surgery. Volunteers are also preventing ‘at risk’ children returning to costly care plans, not only saving lives but reducing costs for social services. £1million is saved in Bromley thanks to volunteers in child protection.”    

NNVIA’s manifesto for citizen engagement points out that the supply of volunteers is rising but opportunities and resources are not.

The manifesto lists a number of key action points including the establishment of the small, dedicated Task Force to report to the Prime Minister on progress in establishing better citizen involvement with:

•    All government departments
•    Non-departmental public bodies e.g. Environment Agency, English Heritage
•    The National Health Service
•    Local authorities
•    Police services
•    Fire and rescue services

It lists a series of objectives which include:

•    Assisting the development and implementation of plans to ensure that volunteer hours reach 3% of the work force by 2014.
•    The launch of a local, regional and national awards programme to highlight innovation in citizen engagement by public and other agencies and to encourage early pioneers.
•    Progressing the inclusion of citizen engagement skills in learning and training curricula.

NNVIA proposes that the new Government administration should require a module on citizen engagement in the training of all public service staff including: doctors, fire fighters, nurses, psychologists, police officers, social workers and teachers.

The Manifesto points out that “many employers offer staff the chance to volunteer.  IBM for example reports that the improvement in commitment, communication and management skills significantly exceeds the cost.”

“Government should offer similar possibilities to its own personnel.  The benefits would exceed the costs.  In addition the experience would enhance civil servants’ capacity to involve volunteers in their own services.”

The Manifesto looks ahead to the vetting and barring system and points out that it “must be fit-for-purpose. Greater clarity on how the scheme is applied with more standardised criteria would be welcomed, as well as an independent annual review to ensure the scheme works as it is intended.”

The NNVIA charities also recommend integrating ‘Study Service’ into schools. All secondary schools, 16-18 colleges and universities should involve their students in curricula related service.   Dame Elisabeth Hoodless says: “Growing evidence indicates that involvement in study service improves attendance, improves achievement and reduces teenage pregnancies.”  

Further press information and to receive a copy of the Manifesto for citizen engagement: Jason Tanner on 07941 433598 or 020 7812 0038 or Melissa Goss on 020 7812 0037, CSV Press Office on behalf of NNVIA

Notes for editors:

NNVIA is an informal network of leading 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

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 167,064 people gave their time as volunteers through CSV. The charity trained 12,196 people of all ages