I WOULD like to thank all the children and young people who volunteered during the second month of the Year of the Volunteer 2005.

February was Youth and Children Month and across the country over 50 projects and events attracted new volunteers and helped promote the diverse and dynamic volunteering children and young people do.

Discussions on volunteering's 'bling factor' highlighted how young people bring a fresh and exciting approach to volunteering. There was no greater display of this than the launch of a video produced by Barnardo's that featured various volunteering projects from mentoring to swimming instructors to working in an animal shelter.

Youth and Children Month has showed the nation that young people and children are passionate about quality, well-supported volunteering opportunities, where they are given the freedom to be creative in helping others. Using the forthcoming Russell Commission recommendations, we will be working throughout the rest of the year to keep young people engaged with the campaign and enthused about volunteering.

Daniel Wood

Chair, British Youth Council

Lead Partner 'Youth and Children Month' Year of the Volunteer 2005

www.yearofthevolunteer.org