01/06/10

By Andrew Holt

Organisations including the Scouts, Girlguiding UK, and England and Wales Cricket Board have today backed Volunteering England's calls for more adult volunteers to help run children's and young people's activities.

Over 25 leading charities and voluntary organisations annually join forces with Volunteering England to mark Volunteers' Week which runs from the 1-7 June.

This year the campaign is not only celebrating the millions of volunteers across the UK but is also calling for more volunteers to get involved.

Across Britain hundreds of thousands of children and young people want to take part in organised activities but are currently unable to due to a lack of adult volunteers.

Without the help of adult volunteers many organisations such as the Scouts and Girlguiding UK simply could not function. Nor could grassroots football, rugby and cricket, which are almost entirely supported by volunteers.

The figures below show just how big a problem this is across the UK.

Scouts needs 6000 volunteers and Girlguiding UK needs 7000 volunteers to involve the girls and boys waiting to join on their waiting lists

Football Association needs 8000 more referees by 2012.

England and Wales Cricket Board needs 10000 more volunteers across 1379 clubs.

Justin Davis Smith, chief executive of Volunteering England, the volunteer development charity, said: "The contribution volunteers make to our society is hard to overstate. From the most local neighbourhood project to our essential public services, volunteers play a critical role making things work better and enriching the lives of individuals and communities.

"Organised activities for young people can help give them a sense of purpose and turn them away from negative support systems such as gangs."

Liz Burnley, chief guide, added: "As the UK's largest voluntary youth organisation for girls and young women Girlguiding UK relies on the passion, dedication and commitment of all the volunteers who make guiding possible."

Stephen Ince, sports volunteering development manager at Volunteering England, said: "Children are being encouraged to be more active spend less time in front of TV and computers.

"England are riding high in the sports headlines after winning the 20:20 World Cricket and with build up to the Football World Cup. There is certain to be a surge in the numbers of children wanting to play team sports and we should capitalise on their enthusiasm."

Mike Gatting, managing director-Cricket Partnerships, England and Wales Cricket Board, said: "Cricket clubs up and down the country are always in need of volunteers, without whom the game we all love would not thrive.

"There are countless opportunities to be an active volunteer in cricket and really make a difference to the game. I would encourage anyone who wants to get involved to get in touch with their local club or visit the ECB website to learn more about the pivotal role that volunteers play as we look to grow the sport."

An FA spokesman added: "The FA is committed to supporting the volunteers in club football that make up the backbone of grassroots football.

"The FA recognises the value of volunteers and provides guidance to clubs on how to recruit, retain and reward volunteers. More information is on our website www.thefa.com and we'd strongly recommend volunteering as a worthwhile and rewarding pursuit."

Children and young people benefit immensely from being able to take part in fun, yet constructive activities.

Research by Cadet150 shows:

85% of parents feel they have made their child a better-rounded person by involving them in out-of-school organised activities.

Half of parents think having a hobby, exercising and being a member of a team would keep youngsters focused and out of trouble

83% of army cadets believe their skills have improved since they joined

72% say being in the Army cadets makes them want to do well in life

To find out more about adult volunteering opportunities and other types of volunteering opportunities, visit www.volunteersweek.org.uk

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