Young volunteers lose out as funding is cut

Jun 5 2009

THE NUMBER of young folk able to offer their services to a volunteering charity has been slashed.

Places available on ProjectScotland have fallen from 69 to just 36 in South Ayrshire and from 32 to 15 in East Ayrshire.

The move follows a Scottish Government decision to axe funding for the charity, which helps young people gain vital skills to help them into jobs.

MSP Cathy Jamieson said: “ProjectScotland has a proven track record of helping young people learn new skills and giving them a pathway into employment.

“In giving these youngsters the opportunity to make better lives for themselves, ProjectScotland has also had a wholly positive effect on communities across the country.

“I am extremely concerned that by axing the funding the SNP are placing the charity’s future in serious doubt.”

The MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley explained that the charity was founded in 2005 and based on the successful US Americorps project.

Since then it has delivered nearly 3000 placements and two million hours of volunteering across Scotland.

Ms Jamieson signed a parliamentary motion in support of the charity after meeting with volunteers, including three from Ayrshire.

She said: “While two years ago Scotland was leading the rest of the UK with this scheme, our young people are now at a clear disadvantage.

“I am also worried that as we also see the Scottish Government failing to do enough to help apprentices, that so many young people across Ayrshire are being let down and left without access to training and employment opportunities.

“I know how much benefit local young people have had from this organisation.

“The young people who came to parliament have been undertaking their placement with the Forestry Commission in Straiton, and they were incredibly enthusiastic about it.”

And Ms Jamieson urged the government to think again, adding: “The Scottish Government must make sure there is no return to the lost generation of the 80s.

“Many people remember the scar that unemployment cast across our communities during that recession, and it cannot be allowed to happen again.

“As such I would encourage the SNP government to think again and restore Project Scotland’s funding as soon as possible.”