Steve Holliday and Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson MP, were welcomed by full-time volunteers Eva and Ishbel at Volunteering Matters’ headquarters in Hackney today to mark Steve Holliday’s appointment as Chair of the review into young people’s full-time social action.

The independent review into young people committing themselves to full time social action will consider the benefits and challenges that they face and Eva and Ishbel were keen to share some of their experiences with the room.

Eva, 25, from South West London and Ishbel, 19, from Clitheroe, are both currently volunteering to support two young people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own home and take part in leisure activities in the community.

Speaking of her experience as a full-time volunteer, Eva said: “For me, full-time volunteering has allowed me to gain practical frontline experience of supporting people whilst also doing something that is fun and that I enjoy.”

Ishbel added: “Full-time volunteering has been a great opportunity for me to learn something new and have the experience of moving away from home to increase my independence while being in a supported environment.”

Read Article