Millennium Volunteers
What Is The Millennium Volunteer
Project (Doncaster)
Millennium Volunteers is a project for 16-24
year olds (inclusive). It gives you the opportunity to work
to benefit the community (either individually or in groups) of the
Doncaster Borough area. MV is a nationwide initiative:
there are approximately 100 projects throughout the country and
over 100,000 Millennium Volunteers (Sept 2005).
But Isn’t Voluntary Work
Boring?
I doesn’t have to be! MV is designed to
challenge the negative images many young people have of
volunteering. With MV you have the chance to: ‘Build On
What You’re Into’.
In other words we won’t make you climb a
mountain for charity, or work in a charity shop unless you want
to! We will work with you to find a project – it can be
connected with your course, future plans or your interests, be it
drama, sport or computers, etc. it’s our job to try and find you
something that you want to do! We’ll also recognise any
voluntary work you are doing already.
Why Should I Bother When I Could Get
Paid Work?
To show commitment through voluntary work is
more highly recognised than you would think. It’s also a
great way to get paid work, as you can gain valuable relevant
experience. A number of MV’s from Doncaster have attributed
getting their new paid jobs to the volunteering they’ve done.
“Volunteering is a good way to gain
experience, meet new people and show future employers that you have
something to offer”. Doncaster MV, Michael, secured paid
employment at his volunteering placement.
What’s In It For Me?
- Get an MV on your CV
- Meet new people
- Get relevant work experience
- Learn new skills
- Show employers that you are committed
You can get recognition for your volunteering
by working towards nationally recognised Awards:
100 hours: MV Award
200 hours: MV Award of Excellence (signed by
the Secretary of State for Education and Skills)
In Doncaster we also recognise 50 and 150
hours as building blocks towards the national certificates.
Over 100 Doncaster College Students registered
with MV and were supported towards achieving Awards and Awards of
Excellence during 2005.
Students have commented:
“Through volunteering at
Doncaster Royal Infirmary, I have developed lots of
new skills and increased my confidence” Steven aged 18
Doncaster College MV.
“Through volunteering, I have met lost of
new people, formed new friends, gained practical work experience
and became a member of the MV Advisory Group” Megan 17
Doncaster College MV.
What Else?
We provide as much support to your
volunteering as you require along the way and as a volunteer you
can claim your out of pocket expenses (e.g. bus fares). You
can plan to do more than one project at the same time and are
free to change if you are not happy.
What Next?
Why not come and find out more? You can
contact Sharon Taylor, the MV Project
Worker on 01302 321818, mob: 07776 165725 or call
into Elmfield House, South Parade to arrange an appointment.
Alternatively, Sharon is in the Student Union Office, room S.2.900
at The Hub on Mondays and Thursdays 12pm – 1pm or the ‘Bridge’
Youth Information Project on Wednesdays 2pm – 4pm. Sharon
will also be available to High Melton students.