11 April 2006
by Ben Pindar

London, UK: A leading national advice charity today hailed a major new recruitment drive a success after attracting hundreds of young volunteers from black and minority ethnic communities.

A new report published by Citizens Advice has revealed almost half of the young volunteers recruited as part of a government initiative are from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds.

The “Generation V” report showcases the range and value of the work being done in Citizens Advice Bureaux by volunteers aged between 16 and 24-years-old and tells in their own words what they get out of it.

It also highlights the importance of attracting volunteers from a range of diverse backgrounds in order for the Citizens Advice Service to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Citizens Advice runs the Millennium Volunteers (MV) award, a flagship government initiative to support and recruit young people into volunteering opportunities.

Last year 43% of their young volunteers were from a BME background. Since the project started in 1999 more than 800 young people have completed MV plans with the Citizens Advice service and gained certificates for volunteering.

Volunteers between the ages of 16 and 24 can choose from a wide variety of different roles. Many train as advisers, but other options include developing IT and organisational skills as an administrator, learning how to deal with the media, becoming fundraisers or developing research skills as a social policy campaigner.

The extensive training allows volunteers to develop vital skills with a third leaving the service to go onto paid employment. The Open College Network accredits CAB adviser training and all advisers receive the widely respected Citizens Advice Advisor qualification.

Amongst those to have completed the Millennium Volunteer programme is Faris Desta, from Stoke on Trent, who said: "Working with volunteers from different areas and backgrounds has made me much more aware of cultural issues, life in Britain and Stoke on Trent in particular.

"Together with other volunteers from Africa we have run several training sessions on African awareness for Stoke CAB staff and volunteers. It is not just the volunteers who benefit from being at the CAB but also the CAB team and local people taking part in these sessions and making them feel special."

Simin Afrough is a social policy volunteer at Barking and Dagenham CAB. She said: "I have found my policy work at Dagenham CAB highly rewarding. A report I was involved in on the geography of local advice services was discussed by local councillors, which felt great.

"It is so satisfying to know that the work I do is actually making a long-term difference to people in the borough."

Kate Robson volunteers at a CAB in Kent, she said: "Working as a volunteer has given me the confidence to try out new things.

"Since joining the CAB I have also become involved with a mentoring project with refugees. This has led to me being offered work helping to set up a local community project for people from ethnic minorities."

David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "Volunteers are at the heart of the Citizens Advice service.

"We are immensely proud of our success in involving young people from black and minority ethnic communities in the Citizens Advice service. Last year nearly half our Millennium Volunteers were from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

"We want to encourage more young people from diverse backgrounds to get involved, which is why we are passionately committed to providing quality volunteering opportunities for young people.

"Young volunteers not only have a crucial role to play in the Citizens Advice service today but are also crucial to how we develop the service of tomorrow."

The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers.

For more information or to find out about local volunteering opportunities visit the organization's website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk