Young People in Basildon Served 200,000 Hours

Young people in Basildon are celebrating after clocking up 200,000 hours ofvolunteering. More than 2,000 teenagers have given up their time to help in the community as Millennium Volunteers.

The scheme, which was launched nationwide in 1999, ended last month but is being replaced by a new volunteering programme called “V”.

While the original scheme had been planned to last for three years, it was so successful that it continued for eight. It saw young people across Basildon give up their spare time to help with youth clubs, charity fundraising and conservation work. They participated in a range of activities from helping children with special needs to organising music gigs and community garden makeovers. It led to the Basildon scheme, based in the council’s offices, being praised as the most successful in Essex.

Lee Dixon, coordinator of the Basildon scheme, said: “While young people are often portrayed as troublemakers, the reality is very different. Many young people in the district are engaged with volunteering activities and proactively involved in making Basildon a better place. The huge number of hours they clocked up volunteering in the community is a testament to their kindness and commitment.”

The original bid to run the project was led by two 17-year-old members ofthe Basildon Youth Council, supported by Basildon Council’s youth team. It has been replaced by the new National Youth VolunteeringProgramme, which began this month. Details are available at www.Vinspired.com, or by calling Amie Edmunds at the Southend Association of Voluntary Services on 01702-350479.