18/10/2005

A group of Cardiff youngsters have been making a difference to their future prospects by giving up their spare time to volunteer.

As Community Service Volunteers (CSV) Make A Difference Day approaches on Saturday 29 October , the teenagers have produced a unique booklet called The Quick Guide to Volunteering to encourage their peers to get involved.

Funded by the 14-19 Network in Cardiff, a Volunteer Task Group (VTG) was established consisting of young people from Waterhall Community Education Centre in Fairwater and the Duke of Edinburgh Award group from Radyr Youth Centre.

Last year, a record-breaking 88,000 people across the UK donated their time to get involved on Make A Difference Day and this year, on its 10th anniversary, the Cardiff volunteer crew are hoping their efforts will inspire others to contribute.

The 11 members of the team have researched the content, design and manufacture of the directory that will include useful information such as why volunteer to how to get involved and how to volunteer safely. The guide will be given to students taking part in the 14-19 volunteer project.

14-19 Network volunteering project co-ordinator, Alisha Newman said: “The educational value of volunteering is recognised by employers and is an excellent way for young people to develop existing, and learn new skills.

“Volunteering is so much more than just working in a charity shop or helping out at an old people’s home. Youngsters can volunteer in any field they have an interest in. Alternatively, they can develop their own projects responding to the needs in their own communities.

“ If a young person is trying to decide what sort of job or career interests them, or they are unsure of what to do at college or university, volunteering is a great way to explore and gain experience at the same time.

“The 11 young people I have been working with have developed their own guide for young people which in itself was a volunteer project.�

Craig Jones, 16, and Danielle Richardson, 15, from the Radyr group would recommend volunteering to other young people.

Craig said: “ I liked meeting new people and learning about volunteering. I also liked developing new skills. Through volunteering I have improved my communication skills so that I am a better team player.

“ I have learned to be more confident in my own ideas and to listen to other people’s ideas.

� I would definitely volunteer again. I think I still have more to offer. I have volunteered abroad and at home and both have been rewarding in different ways.

“The new guide we have produced is a great way to tell young people about the opportunities available to them.�

Danielle said: “I enjoyed producing something that I know will be useful to people like myself. I have acquired design and research skills and by using the internet for research purposes, I have honed my IT skills. I hope young people enjoy reading the brochure and have fun volunteering. �


The VTG members will all gain Youth Achievement Awards, a scheme to recognise and accredit young people's non-formal learning, for their work on the young people’s guide.

Cardiff Council is one of the partner organisations in the Cardiff 14-19 Network, the body tasked with implementing the Welsh Assembly Government’s plans for education for 14-19 years old.

From 2007, the Assembly aims to ensure that all 14 -19-year-olds will have access to wider learning opportunities to broaden their experience and develop their skills. This entitlement is part of the plans to transform education and training for 14 to 19-year-olds enabling all young people in Wales to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential by developing the skills and qualifications they need for life and work.

All 14 to19-years-olds in schools, colleges and work-based training in Wales will be entitled to a learning pathway which suits their needs and leads to qualifications and credit awards. A wider choice of options will be available to them with the opportunity to follow their pathways at their own pace and even change pathways if necessary.

The aim is that by 2015, 95 % of young people by the age of 25 will be ready for high skilled employment or higher education.
Cardiff Council’s Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Bill Kelloway said: “My warmest congratulations go to the 11 youngsters who have worked hard to produce The Quick Guide to Volunteering. It is an extremely useful resource for young people.

“Education in Wales is changing and volunteering is an excellent and worthwhile way for youngsters to gain relevant experience for their chosen pathway.�