§ 21. Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action her Department is taking to promote volunteering. [2854]
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMy Department supports, promotes and encourages volunteering in a wide variety of ways. Under the "make a difference" initiative £20 million is being used in the direct funding of projects, and to extend and strengthen the network of volunteer bureaux. These projects run from the most local—such as anti-bullying projects in schools, run by the pupils themselves—to the national—such as the national volunteering helpline and interactive computer databases of volunteering opportunities. Outstanding volunteering action is recognised through the "make a difference"/Whitbread awards. I have also recently launched a new grant programme to help local, volunteer-run community groups to become more effective. The "make a difference" initiative is making it easier for people to volunteer, and encouraging the development of many more volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering is a theme which runs through much of my Department's work. Both museums and the sporting world, for instance, are dependent on the efforts of an army of willing volunteers, and I am determined to support this in every way possible. I was particularly pleased at the recent publication by the Sports Council of its survey report, "Valuing Volunteers in Sport". My Department is also working with the national lottery distribution bodies to ensure that they recognise the role of volunteers in their grant-giving. Finally, through the ministerial group on volunteering and the voluntary sector, I co-ordinate the policy and practice on volunteering of the Government as a whole—for instance, 421W Departments are currently updating their "make a difference" action plans, originally published in October last year.