UK Youth welcomes Government-backed Global Volunteering Scheme

UK Youth welcomes the Department for International Development’s new Global Volunteering Initiative for young people.The scheme will enable British young people (18-25 year olds), from disadvantaged backgrounds, to volunteer in poorer countries to make a positive difference to other people’s lives.

It is hoped that over the next three years 2,500 young adults will be sponsored to do voluntary work in a developing country in order to raise awareness of development issues in the UK. The £10 million scheme has been backed by the Department for International Development (DFID).The collaboration will be run with Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and BUNAC.

UK Youth has recently been involved in the launch of a new initiative to support skills development for homeless and orphaned young people in Kisumu, Kenya, through a street football programme. We therefore recognise the benefits to young people of taking part in such projects.

“Projects like this enable young people to connect with young people in other cultures and settings and help promote understanding through teaching vital life lessons and skills.” – John Bateman OBE, UK Youth

For further media assistance (interviews, quotes, images, comment) contact Emma Walker 01425 675103 emma@ukyouth.org

Notes for Editors

UK Youth is the leading national youth work charity – www.ukyouth.org supporting over 750,000 young people, 40,000 volunteers and 7,000 youth clubs, groups and projects across the UK. UK Youth helps young people to raise their aspirations, realise their potential and have their achievements recognised.

Department for International Development - www.dfid.gov.uk

Christian Aid – www.christianaid.org.uk

BUNAC – www.bunac.org

Islamic Relief – www.islamic-relief.org.uk