MAKE IT YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO VOLUNTEER IN 2006

As Year of the Volunteer 2005 comes to an end, Home Office Minister, Paul Goggins, has applauded the invaluable work of volunteers and has encouraged those not yet involved, particularly the young, to take part in volunteering opportunities.

During Year of the Volunteer 2005, over 1.5 billion minutes were pledged by people throughout the country and over 300,000 people visited the Year of the Volunteer website. People from a broad range of backgrounds are volunteering and many workplaces - including the Home Office - are giving staff time off work to volunteer.This benefits the community as well as boosting productivity in the workplace.

Mr Goggins said:

"Volunteers really are the lifeblood of our communities. Their hard work, invaluable skills and enthusiasm prove beyond doubt that there is such a thing as society. It is great news that their numbers have been growing over the last few years.

"In 2006, we are keen for that progress to continue and in particular to reach those people who don't currently feel able to volunteer. The Government is providing up to £100 million to promote youth volunteering through the recommendations of the Russell Commission and we'll also be supporting and funding other organisations to promote volunteering.

"Year of the Volunteer 2005 has given us real momentum. In 2006, I hope that many more of us will be able to do our bit and make a real difference to the communities in which we live."

Ian Russell, Interim Chair of the Russell Commission Implementation Body, supporting YOTV said:

"The Year of the Volunteer has helped to raise awareness of volunteering, engaging thousands of new volunteers in projects throughout England. The new Russell Commission charity aims to build on the legacy of the Year, with a particular focus on engaging more young people in volunteering. By harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of young people, and involving them in shaping their volunteering experiences, we aim to transform communities and encourage a lifelong commitment to volunteering."

Notes to Editors:

1. Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office. The Volunteering England Consortium consists of Volunteering England, TimeBank, YouthNet UK, The Media Trust, Business in the Community (BitC) and Youth Action Network. It was launched on 10 January 2005 by the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

2. The Give a Billion Minutes campaign was launched by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears and Matthew Pinsent at County Hall in Westminster on the longest day of the year, 21 June 2005.

3. To find out more about Year of the Volunteer 2005, please visit the official website at: http://www.yearofthevolunteer.org and watch The Community Channel 24 hours a day on Sky 585 and Telewest 233. It is also on NTL 14 and from 6-9am on Freeview 46.

4. The Russell Commission was established in May 2004 by the then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, to develop a new national framework for youth action and engagement. The Commission reported in March 2005 with a headline recommendation to create a new charity, which will take the lead in delivering the new framework. This charity will bring together young people, business, the voluntary and community sector and government in a shared purpose, to make volunteering a valued part of young people's lives. This will receive Government support of up to £100 million, along with private sector donations.

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