BYC is calling on employers to 'Value Volunteering'. Greater access to volunteering equals real impact!

57% of young people aged 16 to 24 have volunteered for a not-for-profit organisation or project. Office of the Third Sector, 2007.

BYC believes that volunteering has so many benefits for both volunteers and their communities. By volunteering you get the opportunity for personal development, training and importantly fun! The benefits are there regardless of the type of employment or hours worked.

Employer supported volunteering

Organisations giving support to allow their employees to volunteer can make a big difference - both to where they volunteer, but also to the organisation where the volunteer works - through boosting their skills and confidence. Some employers run formal volunteering programmes, others free up time for their employees to volunteer.

A problem is that, according to Government research 54% of employees are currently without a volunteering or giving scheme in their company. Where employers are supporting volunteer schemes only 29% of employees are taking up the chance.

BYC thinks it is important that employers take measures to actively support volunteering such as allowing flexible hours, the use of resources, time off in lieu, regular paid time to volunteer and financial remuneration.

Click here for information on employer supported volunteering in England.

BYC is campaigning to raise awareness of this challenge - we want the value of volunteering recognised.

BYC Volunteers

Volunteers have been crucial to the work of BYC since 1948! To get involved in BYC today click here.

Why not check out a wide range of volunteering opportunities across the UK through our Want to Volunteer function, powered by do-it.org.uk.

Here's what some of our volunteers had to say about volunteering with BYC:

To know that I have been involved in actually making a difference that has been felt by millions of different young people up and down the country makes me feel incredible. Craig, 19, Cumbria.

The best part of being involved in BYC as a volunteer is the fact that you feel really valued as a young person. People have a true belief in your ability to change things for the better, rather than causing trouble. You also feel involved in something much bigger than yourself, something bigger than homework, where petty school conflicts are truly put into perspective. I have also made some great friends through volunteering. The best part about this is that they're all ages, from all over the country. Lucy, 19, Gloucestershire.

It is the experience which counts and it is good to know that I am actively "making a difference" in my community. Myriam, 18, Leicester.

Get Active

If you feel strongly about this issue and would like to get involved why not join the BYC Online Action Network - a flexible way have your say and be heard.

For more information on the Let's Value Volunteering campaign email BYC.