News release: Launch of Young Volunteer Challenge

Abstract

You are invited to the launch of an exciting new scheme to help young people in East
Lancashire get the chance to learn new skills, put something back into the community
and even have fun, by spending up to nine months working as full-time volunteers.
Focusing on community regeneration, Young Volunteer Challenge (YVC), funded by the
Department for Education and Skills and piloted by the University of Central Lancashire
is aimed at youngsters aged 18-19 finishing college or training (or up to 21 with special
needs and learning difficulties), who would traditionally be excluded from the chance to
volunteer full-time due to financial circumstances.
Young volunteers all over East Lancashire will be able to take up high quality
placements with charities and local government agencies, developing their skills for
further learning or employment. In return for giving their time, the young people would
receive an allowance of £45 per week, appropriate training and skills development to
help them in their future career and a 'golden handshake' if they complete the scheme
successfully.
Members of the press are invited to the official launch on Thursday 7 August 2003,
in the Conference Suite, Burnley College, from 11.00 am to 12 noon. Refreshments
will be provided. There will be a chance to meet the young people and agencies
involved. For more information, please contact Christy Evans, tel: 01282 831644 or
07788830247.
4 August 2003
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Notes:
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1. The Volunteer Unit at the University of Central Lancashire is working with
partners in the community to implement the programme. These include Coldwell
Activity Centre, Pendle Training in Nelson, Millennium Volunteers in Blackburn
and Groundwork Rossendale. Key partners will be available for comment at the
press launch.
2. The scheme targets young people from low income backgrounds. Volunteers will
be recruited from Rossendale, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Blackburn with
Darwen.