Press release: Working group to set framework for national Expert Volunteer Initiative to help people on their journey back into work

Creating a cross sector working group to produce a national framework for supporting and recruiting expert volunteers to help people back into work is one of the steps put forward in a summary report by welfare to work charity Careers Development Group (CDG). The report draws together the conclusions of the successful Expert Volunteer Summit held earlier this month, designed to give the Expert Volunteer Initiative further impetus.

The establishment of the working group, as well as the publication of a ‘green paper’ report and the showcasing of existing volunteer initiatives, will help ensure the national framework dovetails with the start of the government’s Work Programme set to begin in spring 2011. CDG, who has put this initiative forward and given it structure, is seeking nominations to the working group.

The initiative is a national effort designed to complement the work currently carried out by welfare to work providers, and also to complement or add to similar projects and initiatives already operating across the UK. It is aimed at providing additional support to those who have been unemployed for a long time by recruiting skilled, experienced and knowledgeable volunteers.

Roy O’Shaughnessy, Chief Executive of Careers Development Group, said:

“Following the success of the recent summit, there is now clear momentum for a national initiative that harnesses the power of skilled, knowledgeable and experienced volunteers to help those who need extra support on their journey back into work.

“This initiative is based on all of us who are able to lend a hand doing so. We can no longer turn a blind eye - we are all responsible for supporting those who are long-term unemployed.

“There is no time to lose in bringing this together and giving a shape and structure to the initiative. The working group and consultation will keep things moving so it can be in place on time for the government’s Work Programme plans.”

The next steps include:

• Creating a working group consisting of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors, which will be inaugurated by the end of November 2010. Nominations to the group are now open and further information can be gained via volunteers [at] cdguk [dot] org

• Addressing via a ‘green paper’ report and consultation, the issues raised by the 80 delegates from across the public, private and third sector at the summit.

• These issues include mapping the overall strategy to deliver the initiative, whether the current name needs to be adapted to more accurately reflect the initiative and how to attract and manage volunteers and support organisations which wish to become involved.

• The ‘green paper’ will be produced by the working group with secretariat support from CDG. After the responses have been received, a final framework will be produced by the working group.

• Showcasing existing volunteering initiatives which support people back into work thereby helping voluntary, public and private sector organisations - including welfare to work providers - to adapt the framework for their own circumstances.