MP wants new opportunities for volunteers
26 September 2008
Bolton North East MP David Crausby has welcomed plans to make it easier for more people to volunteer for key roles in their local community.
A Government consultation aims to modernise the list of activities that entitle people to time off from work to better reflect the kind of roles available and encourage more people to participate - also helping to widen the pool of skills, expertise and experience available.
Magistrates, school governors and members of health bodies or police authorities already have time off entitlements. Now the Government is to take a fresh look at whether this should be extended to other roles to better reflect modern life and the needs of local communities.
Commenting on the launch of the consultation Mr. Crausby said:
"Nearly three quarters of all adults volunteered at least once during last year, with almost half volunteering at least once a month. These are the people who help out elderly neighbours, read to children at the local school, take part in litter picks and community gardening.
"So don't let anyone tell you that community spirit has disappeared in today's modern society. But the pace and demands of modern life mean that the people who want to do their bit participating in a more formal role find it hard as they have to squeeze the task into already busy schedules.
"But, if we value volunteering and community spirit then we have a responsibility to see what we can do to make it easier more people, from all walks of life to get involved.
Proposals include extending time off entitlement to those who want to help young offenders turn their lives around, get involved in making sure the local courts and probation services meet the needs of the community and council tenants who want to take an active role in the management of their estate.
For volunteers, the benefits of taking an active role in their local community include the opportunity to develop skills outside their regular 'day job', and the satisfaction of representing and giving something back to their local community.
The consultation is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/timeoffconsultation
