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Given the current state of the British economy, social problems and unemployment, it can be of no surprise to see politicians considering “voluntary work” as being a suitable path to explore. However and much to my surprise, the Conservative Party has gone one further and via sponsorship, is funding a pilot scheme aimed at 16 year olds on a purely “volunteer basis”.

The details can be found in the following article by John Rentoul, hardly a Tory supporter at the best of times but he writes up a truly interesting article on the subject.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-rentoul/john-rentoul-like-it-or-not-there-it-is-a-tory-policy-1825377.html

An Interesting ‘Conversation’

Following reading this article I made the comment below and got some feedback from a chap called Paul so I’ve included his comments because as with anything like this, a lot of thought should go in to these ideas before any fool declares it as “A Solution”, no it is a work in progress.

My First Comment (Baldy)

I was not aware of the project and the pilot scheme but the aim seems good and the fact that practical groundwork is being done, very encouraging as well as unusual for any political party.

I think the reality is that these kinds of voluntary schemes will of necessity become part of the picture in the immediate future. If one steps up to the +18 year old groups who are NEETS (Not in employment, education or training, any Government may have to look at using them in return for “enhanced benefits” to providing services for the Elderly and other such social groups.

In a world where major care programmes just cannot be funded from the public purse but where there are people being supported by the State via the Benefit System, it is fairly obvious that properly supervised, it would be a positive thing. Of course and if in effect compulsory, there must be a range of appropriate “carrots” on offer in terms of things that will enhance the participants future lives whether through ‘credits’ towards further education or even full time job roles as the economy eventually improves.

Paul

As a serious suggestion one of the “enhanced benefits” accruing from participating in such a scheme could be the franchise.

I realise that this idea has been suggested before in one of the classic SF books, “Starship Troopers”, but in that story obtaining the right to vote was dependent on having performed a term of military service. I do not think that would be sensible, realistic, or practical, but the necessity of future voters having experience of helping people in one way or another might improve the political landscape to some extent.

Having taken part in such a scheme could also be a pre-requisite for those wishing to follow careers in critical areas such as politics, the military, etc.

The Need for Pilot Schemes (Baldy)

I totally agree with what you are saying but obviously one would have to “develop” any scheme rather as the Conservatives seem to be doing with this pilot aimed at 16 year olds. There is that saying along the lines that no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.

Being Flexible

I think the principle of “enhanced benefits” would probably need to be flexible to accommodate different personal circumstances, such as people still living with parents, those living alone, single parents and so on. Whilst there might be a flexible range of different “additional support” available to the volunteer, it can be measured in financial terms to balance out the benefit to society ie. help for old people, the existing “cost” of the particular volunteer if they weren’t on such a scheme and the budget “per volunteer”.

As with all voluntary work, unpaid or paid for at below “market rates”, there is a delicate line to be drawn. For now no jobs would be ‘lost’ by volunteers doing the work but looking ahead one wants this valuable experience in some cases, to bloom into a commercial venture or as you say, “buy the franchise”.

Although not perfect, I was always fascinated when in the US about students I knew, earning “credits” towards their degree, then working as a Cabbie for the next year to fund themselves through the next…

So in many ways, I think that “Credits for Service” that can be set against the volunteers “next career move”, would be a good idea especially if they were seen to be “valuable” both to the volunteer, employer, bank, educational establishment and so on.

Paul

Maybe if such a scheme was associated with the education system the financial implications could be reduced. If for example, society was educated to think of this as a final finishing year to traditional compulsory education the perception of being taken advantage of might be reduced. Of course it could eventually be accepted as an essential portion of education and might provide some part of preparing people for their entry into the real world.

Personally I think the opportunities inherent in such a scheme could be immensely beneficial to all of us, but it would need to gain an image of being a good thing to do if it was to be accepted. I hope that the spin doctors and PR departments don’t get too involved!