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The Russell Commission was established in May 2004 by
then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, and the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Gordon Brown, to develop a new national framework
for youth action and engagement. The Commission was headed
by Ian Russell, then Chief Executive of Scottish Power, and reflects
the Government’s commitment to increase youth volunteering
and civic service. Two advisory groups were set up to assist
Ian Russell and the Review Team with the consultation - an
Independent Advisory Group that included representatives from
the voluntary sector, business and the media and a Youth Advisory
Board that was made up of young volunteers and non-volunteers.
Following extensive research into the current volunteering
landscape, both within the UK and abroad, the Commission launched
a nation wide consultation in October 2004. The Commission
engaged a wide range of stakeholders including young people,
the voluntary sector, business and the media, receiving over
700 responses from voluntary and community sector organisations,
and a further 6,000 responses from young people.
Ian Russell presented his final recommendations to the Chancellor
and Home Secretary in March 2005, setting out a series of
measures to deliver a step-change in youth volunteering in
the UK. The recommendations were welcomed by Government, and
Gordon Brown subsequently announced a £100 million investment,
to recruit 1m new young volunteers. It is hoped that an additional
£50 million funding will be drawn from private sector
sources.
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