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VOLUNTEER CHILDCARE EXPENSES 

Volunteering England and the Association of Volunteer Managers have both expressed concern about the Government response to the consultation on volunteers and the minimum wage. In this document, published by the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), (paragraph 2.14), it states:

” Reimbursement of childcare expenses represent a significant benefit in kind and as such would change the nature of the relationship between voluntary worker and qualifying organisation”

As Volunteering England says in its press release, it is surprising to see this in the context of the Minimum Wage Act as it is in stark contrast to recent legal rulings on the staus of volunteers. The guidance is also in conflict with the Department for Work and Pensions’ views on volunteer expenses.

Justin Davies-Smith points out: “The reimbursement of child care is not a benefit to the parent. They are incurring this cost as a direct consequence of volunteering. Expecting volunteers to be out of pocket through giving up their time places a significant barrier in the path of people on a low income who want to contribute to their community.”

Volunteering England is calling on BERR to reconsider.

The Association of Volunteer Manageers (AVM) is asking organisations to raise these concerns with John Hutton (Secretary of State for BERR) and Helen Dwyer, (the person dealing with the consultation at BERR).

AVM points out that even though some organisations do not have the resources to reimburse care costs, it is important to uphold the principal that this is a legitimate expense to make volunteering accessible to carers.

In an ideal world this would be something that all funders would want to see included in budgets.

More information and a sample letter are available on the AVM website at http://www.volunteermanagers.org.uk/save-childcare-expenses-volunteers

One Million Pound Investment for Youth Volunteering in LeicesterShire and Rutland

Young volunteers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are going to benefit from a boost of  nearly one million pounds from vinvolved, the new national youth volunteering programme.

 

A Leicestershire and Rutland consorium of 12 Volunteer Centres / Voluntary Action Centres and Leicester-shire and Rutland Sport, has been awarded nearly 600,000 pounds for a vinvolved team.

 

The team of 5 will support and encourage local organisations to involve young volunteers, place young people from across Leicestershire and Rutland in a wide range of volunteering activity, support and promote young peoples’ volunteering in sports and involve young people in promoting voluntary action to their peers.

 

John Warren, Manager of Volunteer Centre Lutterworth who are leading the project said, “This is fantastic news for young people wanting to give their time and for voluntary organisations keen to harness their energy and enthusiasm. We already have strong links with hundreds of groups around the County and this grant gives us an exciting opportunity to work with them to help more young people get active in their local communities.”

 

Meanwhile in Leicester, Voluntary Action Leicester has been awarded just under 300,000 pounds for its vinvolved project to engage young volunteers of all abilities and backgrounds in short, part and full time volunteering opportunities, including involvement in community engagement, governance, management, policy work and volunteering development; sports volunteering and opportunities for young people with learning disabilities.

 

Michelle Skinner, Manager of Voluntary Action Leicester’s Volunteer Centre said, ” An investment of nearly 1 million pounds to advance youth volunteering here in Leicestershire is excellent. We are really looking forward to developing our work with young people here in the City and look forward to working closely with Volunteer Centres in the County to promote and develop the best opportunities for young people of Leicestershire.”

 

 

 

 

                                                                 

 

  2007 TOY APPEAL LAUNCHED

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2007 Hinckley & Bosworth Toy Appeal. The Toy Appeal exists to ensure that children whose families may struggle to purchase gifts at Christmas all receive at least one present.
The appeal has been running for 19 years, 13 of which have been coordinated by Glenda and Brian Crouch who have finally decided to take a break this year along with our huge thanks and appreciation.

A number of cunningly disguised wheelie bins - or Toy Collection Points - have been distributed around the Borough where you are able to place your donations of NEW toys or pick up a donation form or referral form to refer a child.

Collection points are at the following places;

• HBBC offices, Argents Mead, main reception

• Hinckley Leisure Centre

• Asda Foyer (from 7th November)

• Earl Shilton Community House

• Hollycroft Medical Centre

• St Francis Community Centre

• Westfield Community Centre

• Brittannia Centre (Nov 25th)

• Higham Way Baptist Church, Burbage (2 - 9th December)

If you would like a collection point at your church, school, offices or community building then please let us know. Equally we are happy to come along and talk more about the toy appeal for anyone who is interested.

Here’s looking forward to a successful 2007!

For more information please contact Mary Hall or Chris Perkins on 01455 615962, email toyappeal@vahb.org.uk or write to 12 Waterloo Road, Hinckley, Leics, LE10 0QJ