Volunteer roles for young people

YOUNG people wanting to take part in the government’s new civic service scheme can now go online to look for opportunities.

Whether you would like to help the elderly, restore a historic site, teach people to recycle or advise teens on contraception – there are plenty of options at www.service-civique.gouv.fr

You could even go abroad with a large French charity – some of the first volunteers have been to Haiti.

The scheme is for people aged 16 - 25 who want to sign up to take part in a voluntary project either in the public or not-for-profit sector, for six to 12 months, for at least 24-hours a week.

Taking part entitles you to credits towards your state pension, social security cover and monthly payments of €440.

You also get €100/month in expenses payments and/or in food and transport and there are also grants of e100/month depending on needs. It is possible to combine it with paid employment but bear in mind the time commitment required.

Those taking part should get training, and career advice and they get a certificate showing their participation and skills learned, which may count towards future qualifications.
A spokeswoman for the scheme said it replaced a previous volunteering plan that failed to attract many participants.

It is provided with much more funding and a dedicated agency, she said.

“It is hoped we will get 80,000 people a year by 2014,” she added.