FAST TRACK MILLENNIUM VOLUNTEER PROJECTS GET GO-AHEAD

Margaret Hodge, Minister for Education and Employment, today paved the way for more 16 to 24 year olds to get an MV on their CV. Mrs Hodge announced seventeen new fast track Millennium Volunteer (MV) programmes across England. The successful bidders from this round of MV funding will begin work immediately on projects engaging young people in challenging activities. The projects range from a youth democracy movement in Gloucester to an HIV information and advice centre in Manchester.

The Black Country sees its new MV project off to a flying start today - with Rhino the Gladiator being helicoptered in to celebrate the launch of KiC FM, a radio station run for - and by - young people. Kids in Communication (KiC) will broadcast to the Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley areas their message of drugs awareness, youth issues and crime prevention.

Mrs Hodge said:
"Millennium Volunteers is opening up a world of opportunity for thousands of young people across the country. By building on what young people are into they are improving their employability and giving themselves the confidence to use their new skills in the job market. Getting an MV on your CV is going to be a valuable selling point for young people looking for work. These new projects will allow MVs have fun, engage in challenges and put something back into the community.
 
"Active citizenship is what Millennium Volunteers is all about. We’re encouraging young people to get out there and make a real difference to the lives of other people - and their own. The MV initiative is not afraid to encourage volunteers to get involved in some serious issues. Urban deprivation, crime prevention and social exclusion are all problems which young people - who may never before have thought of volunteering - can tackle through the MV scheme. This is a chance for more MVs to change their community - and their lives - for the better."

Rob Smith, Project Manager for Kids in Communication, said:
"KiC FM has already got 40 MVs signed up to help run the radio station and support the work that the kids will be doing. What is so attractive to the volunteers is the quality training they will receive. These new skills will make them stand out from the crowd - and give them the recognition they deserve."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Millennium Volunteers is the Government’s flagship initiative about changing attitudes to volunteering amongst young people aged 16 to 24. Those completing 200 hours of voluntary service get an Award of Excellence signed by the Secretary of State for Employment and a profile of their activities proving their abilities to potential employers, colleges and universities.

2. Following the launch there were 66 successful first round bidders in England which shared £15m in funding. The second round of funding, a further £20m, was announced in June 1999 by Mr Blunkett.

3. A further 559 expressions of interest were received for the second round of funding, and are now being considered.