Youth Volunteer Development, Supporting young people into volunteering

Test Valley Community Services (TVCS)is a countrywide infrastructure organisation working alongside the voluntary and community sector. Test Valley Volunteer Centre comes under the umbrella of TVCS and its aim is to introduce volunteers to groups and help groups to develop local opportunities. Responding to local needs Test Valley Volunteer Centre has launched a new scheme in Andover to encourage and support young people into volunteering.

Why the community needs this charity

Your support will give the Youth Volunteering Officer the capacity to develop a volunteering buddy scheme. This will work with the 18 - 25 age range focusing on young people with higher support needs to enable them to overcome barriers to access volunteering, developing their social and work skills,and providing a pathway to further education or employment. 'Buddies' will be recruited from the local community, trained and matched with another young person who require extra help.

Results and outcomes

Employment is a fundamental part of adult life and a goal to which adults aspire. The benefits of work for those who are employed include greater autonomy and financial freedom, increased self-esteem and emotional wellbeing and improved quality of life. A diverse range of volunteers can also dispel stereotypes and change perceptions within a community about what people can and cannot do. Each young person will have a personal development plan to create a clear pathway to gaining paid employment.

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