Millennium Volunteers

Young people aged between 16 and 24 can sign up as a Millennium Volunteer (MV). MV gives young people national awards for volunteering - something employers really rate.

For an information pack, call 0800 085 1624 or visit the website (see below).

CSV

CSV is a UK charity dedicated to giving people the chance to play an active part in their community through volunteering, training, education and the media. Young people can also volunteer if they have a history of homelessness, substance use, offending or have a disability.

Local Action Volunteers receive out-of-pocket expenses plus the regular support of a CSV member of staff to ensure they get the most from their volunteering experience.

To find out more, visit the CSV website which is at the bottom of this page or call 0207 278 6601.

Young Volunteer Challenge

The Young Volunteer Challenge is for young people aged 18-19 (extended to 21 for young people with special needs or disabilities). The Pilot is running in 9 areas throughout England and participation in the Pilot will allow young people to develop their personal and work-related skills.

Young volunteers will be paid an allowance of £45 per week and a lump sum of £750 on completion of 9 months full-time volunteering.

Contact your local Connexions centre for more information.

The Prince's Trust

The Prince's Trust has a range of personal development programmes for 14-30 year olds, aimed at boosting confidence, motivation, and team-building skills. Young people can pick courses of between 4 and 24 weeks, tackling local projects or choosing activity weeks further a field.

For more details phone 0800 842842 or look them up on their website which is below.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Open to all 14-25 year olds, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a programme of activities through which young people plan and achieve personal goals. Many employers see the Award as an extra qualification. It can be done almost anywhere - perhaps run by a school or college, a uniformed youth organisation such as Scouts, Girlguiding, or Girls' Brigade, or a local youth club.

See their site below.

The United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP)

UKYP gives 11 - 18 year olds a 'national' voice that will be listened to by politicians. With 400+ members, it works in the same way as parliament but it's selling point is that it is run by young people for young people. Phone 01252 844241 or 0121 202 2355 or check out the website below.

Young Enterprise

Young Enterprise is a national educational charity with a mission to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise. There are six Young Enterprise programmes, each for a different age-group from 5 to 25+. These are run on a 'learning by doing' principle.

Ask your teenager's school or college for details.