16 March 2006
Speech by the Economic Secretary, Ivan Lewis at the Experience Corps Conference
Check against delivery
Opening comments
1. It is a pleasure to be here today at the Experience Corps Resource Team Conference – and can I thank Wally for inviting me to say a few words.
2. Older volunteers up and down the country have undertaken work that is of great benefit, and I want to acknowledge that today. Such volunteering is an important aspect of a vibrant, modern, 21st century Britain, and an area that we must all focus harder on.
3. After all, a large number of volunteers come from the older age group – I believe of those aged 65 to 74, some 44% help out with informal volunteering and some 27% participate with formal volunteer work.
4. I know this resource group has held a series of focus groups across the country – and I want to welcome this.
5. Looking at the volunteer experience and identifying best practice as well as areas for improvement will help to better target and involve older volunteers.
Volunteering
6. Today’s event is held in the context of the Year of the Volunteer 2005. This was a key moment for us all, raising awareness of volunteering. Broadcasting more widely the merits and impact that volunteer work has on our society. Recognising volunteers. Encouraging more people to get involved.
7. So I very much feel that today’s conference fits into that legacy. It is part of the enduring process that is also being taken forward through the Russell Commission work, and through cross-sector partnerships.
8. This is only part of the legacy of the year – there is a range of ongoing work, including welfare reform that encourages volunteering and Link Age Plus which will facilitate access to a range of local services for older people, including volunteering opportunities.
9. Active citizens make for a more vibrant and enterprising society – which is why volunteering is moving towards the centre of policymaking across Government.
10. So older volunteering is vital – not just for our citizens, but for our nation as a whole. As an aging society, we ought not to ignore it’s benefits.
Older volunteering
11. And that’s where active citizenship – and active volunteering by older people – really comes into it’s own.
12. But I appreciate the rhetoric may sometimes feel a little one sided. It may feel like we’re focusing on youth volunteering at the expense of older volunteers.
13. That’s not the case, and I want to take this opportunity today to demonstrate our commitment to all citizens. And that’s a commitment to be active in your local communities, irrespective of your age.
14. I want to say today – all members of the local community, young and old, have a role to play and can benefit by improving their skills, confidence and employability – as well as benefiting business, the local community and the wider economy.
Action on volunteering
15. This isn’t just rhetoric. Last year we supported and worked with a range of events aimed at older volunteers.
16. For example, Year of the Volunteer’s older people’s month, during which Volunteering in the Third Age – or VITA – was launched. As a two-year initiative, VITA is real action to increase the numbers of volunteers aged over 65.
17. In government, we acknowledge and recognise the very real commitment to volunteers from all sections of the community, particularly older people, as well as the potential for volunteering to contribute to valuable skills development and confidence building.
18. First, that’s why the new Link-Age Plus programme – detailed in the Social Exclusion Unit’s action plan – will commit up to £10 million to a pilot project over the next two years.
19. The programme will set up a number of pilots that will integrate services for older people, designed to meet the needs of each local area. It will expand the principles of joined-up working and look to provide access for a wide range of services.
20. That includes health, social care, housing and – crucially – volunteering opportunities. All part of a seamless service offering.
21. Second, it’s why the Welfare Reform Green Paper promotes the potential of volunteering to support a return to work – through confidence building and developing valuable work-related skills.
22. People on benefits can already undertake unlimited voluntary work for charities and voluntary organisations. And this Spring, to ensure everyone has the most up to date information on the status quo, a new Rulebook will be published – and that will outline the range of benefit entitlements that people can still get while they volunteer.
Demographic impact
23. Yet increased older volunteering is symbolic of wider changes in our social lives. It is an illustration of the growing recognition that this country has for our older citizens.
24. Why? Because the impact of an aging society – be it the potential of volunteerism, or the wealth of experience and knowledge that business and families can access – is significant.
25. With fundamental changes in our society, and emerging global economic trends too – this government is watching and is dealing with these issues.
26. But demographic challenge is a big issue for all of us individually, and government in particular. It touches on matters of personal income, of financial support – and crucially, it touches on matters of perception, of respect.
27. If we deal with this well – and with the right approach – we can truly create a society in which later years are, wherever possible, active years. As a government we launched “Opportunity Age” an approach that has – for the first time – brought together wider government strategy on our ageing society.
28. This is truly important – not just because it proves our commitment to set the direction on this, but also as a real effort to shift the stereotypes about ageing.
29. And to do this, we have focused on three main issues across government. On the workforce. On active ageing. And on support for greater independence.
30. As our ageing population demands ever more innovative policy responses – so too we demand even greater co-ordination across government boundaries.
31. And that is a core message of the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review that regards demographic change as one of the five long-term issues facing our country today.
Closing remarks
32. So let me end on this. We are completely committed to creating strong and vibrant communities. I recognise the significant contribution that all citizens – including older people – have to make, not just for the local community, but for our country.
33. The benefits are clear – older volunteers do benefit from enhanced skills, new contacts and the increased confidence of an active participation.
34. And I know they want to give something back – just as much as anyone – for the benefit of the whole community.
35. So the series of conversations right across Britain has helped identify good practice. It has helped us learn lessons on which we can build.
36. And we will build on them. To improve the engagement of older volunteers – and to better target people, thereby improving the older volunteer experience.
37. So I look forward to a lively and informative discussion, and I thank you for your contribution so far.
38. Thank you.