Student Volunteer Programmes Receive Ministry Support

The DCC has been successful in its application to the Ministry of Youth Development’s Youth Development Partnership Fund 2012. The Ministry has granted a total of $50,000 (excluding GST), towards the Student Community Involvement Programme (SCIP) and the Free School Holiday Programme (FSHP), delivered by Volunteering Otago.
The Ministry receives applications only from local authorities, who seek the funding to facilitate youth-oriented projects in their areas.
Rebecca Williams, DCC Events and Community Development Manager, says, “It’s fantastic that the DCC can facilitate this work as these programmes develop a culture of supportiveness in our city as well as giving the students who take part some really valuable skills that will transfer to all parts of their adult lives.”
The SCIP and FSHP aim to provide young people with the opportunity to engage in supported volunteering activities through their schools. The funding will enable Volunteering Otago to continue, and enhance, the programmes.
Anna Clere, Volunteering Otago Manager says, “These programmes help our young people to make connections, giving them a purpose, a role and a ‘buy in’ in their community. They provide training that will improve future employment and education opportunities. They also broaden the students’ personal horizons through improved social awareness and improved interpersonal and communication skills.”

When making its assessment of applications, the selection panel considers:
- How the project aligns with the Fund’s outcomes and funding criteria
- The efficacy of  the youth development practices
- The need of young people and the community for the project
- The project’s practicality, viability and value