Millennium_Volunteers

What is Millennium Volunteers?

Millennium Volunteers is a UK-wide initiative aimed at 16 to 24 year-olds who want to volunteer their time for the benefit of others. It's a new way to try out new things that help you and your town. Millennium Volunteers gives you the chance to get out and about, try out new things or build on your existing interests, skills and talents.

MV even offers a national award for volunteering, recognised by colleges, universities and employers - an added bonus for your CV.

Eight MVs worked with teachers, children and parents at St. Paul's Primary School in Hammersmith to transform a dreary playground wall into an interactive mural of the River Thames - complete with a spinning Millennium Wheel, a moving boat and a St. Paul's Cathedral that opens up!

The volunteers ran a workshop at which pupils drew pictures of what they would like to see in the mural. It was completed within a week over the Easter holidays, transforming the playground and winning a definite thumbs-up from pupils and teachers alike.

Why should I be a Millennium Volunteer?

... because it'll look great on your CV. Colleges, universities and employers love to see an MV on your CV - it really makes you stand out from the crowd.

... because loads of people are doing it. It's a great way of having fun, getting to do the things you really want to do, and meeting loads of new people.

... because volunteering's not all about helping people across the street. Fancy dj-ing at a club? Running a football team? Designing a web site? Working in the theatre? There's loads of different things you can do - on your own or with your friends.

... because it'll help your community. It's your town and you're the one that's got to live in it, so why not start making it a better place to live?

Darlington MVs and members of Amicus transformed the beautiful Bowes Museum in Bernard Castle, County Durham, into a time machine to take people back to the 1950s as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Despite heavy rain there was a marvellous turn-out to enjoy the entertainment, including vintage games, videos of the Coronation, a classic Punch and Judy Show, and photo stalls where visitors could be James Dean or Marilyn Monroe.

Interested?

To find out more about Millennium Volunteers on the web, have a look at the official MV web site - it's full of useful information, as well as examples of activities, photographs and quotes from volunteers around the country.

Even better, why not contact Debbie Openshaw, the BACYP Millennium Volunteers Project Worker, who'll be happy to give you more information and tell you about opportunities in your area. Debbie is employed by the Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People, and you can get in touch with her at Volunteer Centre West Berkshire where she is based:

Debbie Openshaw
BACYP Millennium Volunteers
c/o Volunteer Centre West Berkshire
1 Bolton Place
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 1AJ

Tel: 01635 45971
Mobile: 0788 194 1345

or email her at westberks@youthaction.fsnet.co.uk