§ 31. Ross CranstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to promote volunteering by older people. [47093]
§ Angela EagleThe Government believe it is important to utilise fully the skills and talents of older people. That is why the Home Office is investing £20 million in the Experience Corps, which aims to recruit 250,000 volunteers over three years. We also provide funding for REACH, RSVP and other organisations which promote34W and encourage volunteering by older people. We have provided £1.5 million in funding for local and national organisations, such as Help the Aged, as part of the Older Volunteers Initiative, which addresses issues of raising quality and quantity of voluntary opportunities for older people. We are evaluating the initiative with a view to publishing the good practice it has identified.