UK - CSV'S CITIZENS' SERVICE: YOUNG PARTICIPANTS' VIEWS

Action Cardiff - Chrissy Cornwall
Since leaving school at the age of 14, Chrissy has never had a proper job. Now, at the age of 22, she has gained experience working as a young volunteer with children in an after- school club. Here she learnt about health and safety, food preparation and organising sports. Her experience gave her the confidence to decide to go back to college and study for her GCSE qualifications, and she hopes to do a Diploma in Health Care, and pursue a career helping people who have been disadvantaged by the system, as she was.

She believes that young people all over the UK need to get together and make a stand, so that the Government is forced to listen. They should be involved in plans for NYS. Issues that are of concern to British youth are the same as those for young people all over the world - poverty, AIDS and unemployment. For many young people in Britain, there are two extremes - either you become poor for three years and in debt in order to go to university, or you have to join the dole queue and trust that the government knows what it is doing. Young people are exposed to all these realities on the ground and this experience will help make them better people, and will help them to become ambassadors of NYS. This will help change society's negative image of young people.

Action Southwark - Vincent Mitchell
When Vincent approached Action Southwark he felt he needed some direction in life and also wanted to help vulnerable people he had witnessed on the streets. Initially, he went to a Learning Difficulties Centre, and is now at a Homeless People's Drop-In Centre. His career is now on track - he is going on to become a nurse.
Working as a volunteer is different to being a worker - you are not there for a wage packet. He believes that the people that you work with can get a lot out of the relationship, because they know that the commitment, care and concern is being given on a voluntary basis.

He comments that the question is often asked - why do many young people not bother to vote? - and says that it is because they feel disenfranchised and feel that the government is not working for them. He feels that NYS should be voluntary, not compulsory, as the young people involved will have a real belief and vested interest in it, and may therefore benefit more from it. Vincent also believes in internationalism - that young people are young people, no matter where they're from. He doesn't see himself volunteering for his country, but to help the international community.

Action Southwark - Paul Bryant
Paul volunteers at the Shaftesbury Resource Centre where they redistribute furniture to people on low incomes and those that are disadvantaged. Paul saw the advert in a local paper and has volunteered for almost a year. He volunteered when he wanted a change. He has learnt many administration skills at the Centre, and has become computer literate and confident. He has since set up his own small company. Action Southwark has helped him to help other people: "It feels good to be able to help my community".

Action Cardiff - Tracey Newman
Tracey has been a volunteer in an after-school club for eighteen months. She really enjoys it and is treated like a member of staff. She saw the Action Cardiff advert in the local newspaper at a time when she wanted to work with children. She has created lots of activities while working with the children. As a result of her experience, she is now doing a childcare course and has been offered two jobs with special needs children for the summer and another job for after the summer. Tracey hopes to become a play co-ordinator or play specialist in hospital.

Action Cyfle - Amanda Amey
Amanda is a graduate who had family problems and was undergoing art therapy. She contacted Action Cyfle and began volunteering - teaching arts and crafts and computer skills, creating murals and doing gardening in a centre for people with learning difficulties. She also befriends and listens to people at the centre. She would like to do a therapy course in the future.

Action Cyfle - Rohan Mitchell
Rohan started volunteering earlier this year. He volunteers for Oxfam charity shops. He spends three days a week doing house to house deliveries and taking things to different shops to be sold. He enjoys his work - sale of the goods benefits projects in the developing world.

Action Sunderland - Margaret Smith
Margaret identified a need for a group for mothers and babies in her community, and with the assistance of CSV, was able to set one up. She now runs a group with the support of the local community and businesses. She received a Millennium Award to undergo training to become a community leader. She now has a direction for her career - helping children in the community.

Action Sunderland - Peter Billinglesey
Peter does voluntary conservation work, working at a special needs school, helping the children on a one-to-one basis to create and maintain the school gardens, paths, ponds etc. He is hopeful that his chances for employment are improving and he is gaining confidence.