Information on Loughborough

Loughborough Volunteers Call

Posted on 06/03/2008
P. Klein

Volunteering

Andy Reed MP has urged young adults in Loughborough to take advantage of a pioneering new government-backed global volunteering scheme. The Scheme called Platform2 will enable young people to spend ten weeks in a developing country working on a project and helping some of the world’s poorest people.

The scheme will enable 2,500 young adults – particularly those from less advantaged backgrounds – between 18-25 years old, to do voluntary work in a developing country and raise awareness of development issues in the UK. The aim of the project is to help young people learn about the world and bring back their experiences to people at home.

The scheme is funded by the Department for International Development which leads the Government’s fight against global poverty. For more information about the scheme and applying go to - www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/volunteering-programme.asp

Welcoming the government initiative, the Loughborough MP said:

“This is a great opportunity for young adults to make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. I encourage young people to apply for this opportunity.

“By living and working with people of different cultures, facing different challenges it will also help broaden their understanding of the world.

“I particularly welcome the scheme’s emphasis on those from less advantaged backgrounds, as this will help ensure those who would not normally have the chance to live, work and make a contribution abroad now can.”

Further Information:

• The scheme – ‘Platform2’ – will start in Summer 2008, with placements to Ghana and South Africa, the volunteers will be:

o spending ten weeks in a developing country working on local community development projects such as environmental conservation or HIV/AIDS awareness;

o designing personal activity plans with other volunteers during a residential weekend on their return to the UK; and

o building understanding about the world back home through road shows and activities in their local communities and encouraging their peers to join the fight against global poverty.

• Platform2 is open to young adults from less advantaged backgrounds aged 18-25 on the date of travel who meet a combination of criteria relating to previous education, employment, benefits and travel. Positive emphasis will be placed on a track record of community involvement. All volunteers must hold (or be eligible for) a British passport

• Overseas placements will be in groups of 12 to Ghana, South Africa, India, Malawi or Peru and will start in summer 2008

• Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and BUNAC have been appointed as a partnership to deliver the scheme

• To find out more, please go to: www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/volunteering-programme.asp