CSV Young Voices

In 2007 CSV conducted a survey of young people around the UK about child poverty.

We learned that many young people felt that a lack of proper access to books, computers and the internet was a major factor. Many also thought that something as simple as a quiet place to do homework could make a massive difference to a child’s future.

The answer was obvious – find a way to get young people using their local libraries, and the Young Voices project in north-west England was CSV's response. Young volunteers take the initiative, setting up projects and events to get local kids using the library. After all, who better to get young people interested than young people themselves?

The Young Voices project ended successfully in March 2010. All three library services have included youth volunteering in their service plans. CSV is very pleased to have been involved in helping these services to see how valuable a youth volunteering programme can be.

In early 2010 CSV launched the Young Voices Evaluation Report (PDF) at a conference in Manchester that celebrated the achievements of Young Voices and brought together library and volunteering professionals from all over the country.  Speakers included the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Culture and Tourism, and Roy Clare CBE, Chief Executive of the Museums Libraries and Archives Council.

Click here to download the CSV Young Voices evaluation report s a PDF (2MB).

If you work for a local library service and you’d like to see a project like this in your library click here to find out more about our volunteering consultancy services or contact Arnie Wickens on 020 7643 1402 or email awickens@csv.org.uk.