The Minister was addressing the Youth Volunteering ‘Thinking Time’ event at the Radisson Hotel, Belfast. The conference is being held to bring together people from across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland who have expertise in youth volunteering.
Speaking to delegates, Ms Ruane spoke of the benefits of volunteering and said: “As I take up the role of Education Minister, I aim to provide all our young people with the opportunity to fulfil their individual potential. To enable them to do this, we need to create confident, creative and articulate young people who will be able to fully avail of the opportunities today’s global economy provides them.
“This is where youth volunteering can play an important role.
“Volunteering can provide young people with a valuable learning experience. Not only can they make a difference to others, they can also make a tangible difference to their own social and personal development. Volunteering can be a fun, rewarding learning experience that can result in a nationally recognised award, the development of new skills, greater self confidence and access to widened social networks. It can even be the gateway to a job.”
Local research evidence suggests that young volunteers value their experiences and that many more young people would volunteer if they were given the opportunity and support to do so. The Minister emphasised her hope that, by Government working in partnership with the voluntary and statutory sectors to promote and support youth volunteering, more young people would be encouraged to get involved and encourage their friends to join them in becoming more active members of their communities.
Ms Ruane commended delegates for the collaborative work being undertaken across the sector to identify best practice and remove the barriers that many young people face to volunteering, so that the positive benefits of volunteering are understood and that young people are supported and encouraged to reap those benefits.
In conclusion, Ms Ruane underlined her own commitment to the future of Youth Volunteering and said: “It is vitally important that Government supports volunteering and enables it to flourish. I am committed to enhancing youth volunteering throughout Ireland, and working with the sector to develop opportunities that fit young people’s lifestyles.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The research report ‘Why not ask Me?’, published by the Voluntary Service Bureau earlier this year, revealed that many young people would undertake voluntary work if they were given the opportunity and support to do so.
- Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701.
