Press release: Imam calls on BME groups to respond to community consultation

31 January 2007

Well over half of BME groups in England volunteer at least once a year, and Imam Monawar Hussain, Muslim Tutor at Eton College, is calling for their views on volunteering in the biggest ever consultation of its kind.

The Commission on the Future of Volunteering, is an independent body established to develop a long-term vision for volunteering. BME groups have traditionally been underrepresented in volunteering reviews, despite making a significant impact in their community.

Imam Hussain said:

“We all have a stake in Great Britain and I believe through actively strengthening and promoting volunteering we will build greater cohesion, social capital and civic participation. BME groups are absolutely vital to the volunteering sector and I urge them to actively participate in this consultation.

“It is the multicultural nature of Britain that makes me feel really proud to be British. But the challenge I believe is two-fold: firstly, we must create a deeper sense of understanding between people of all backgrounds; secondly, we must create a deeper sense of belonging. We will achieve this through deeper engagement, interaction and collective effort by all of us. We have so much to give – voluntarism is a way of putting something back.”

Anyone wishing to respond to the consultation should visit www.volcomm.org.uk Alternatively, the Commission will be holding a series of regional events throughout England over the next few months, where individuals and groups will have the opportunity to share their views on volunteering, and contribute to the plan for the future. Full details are available on the website.

Notes to editors:

• The Commission on the Future of Volunteering was established by the England Volunteering Development Council (EVDC) to develop a long term vision for volunteering in England as a legacy of the Year of the Volunteer 2005. It is sponsored by the Volunteering Hub and supported by Volunteering England. The Commission is due to present its findings in autumn 2007.
• Evidence forms can be downloaded from www.volcomm.org.uk , by emailing evidence@volcomm.org.uk or by writing to: Commission on the Future of Volunteering, c/o Meta Zimmeck, Volunteering England, Regent’s Wharf, 8 All Saints St, London N1 9RL. It is also possible to receive information in large format, Braille, or languages other than English. Please contact Meta with any special requirements
• For a full list of Commission members, visit: http://www.volcomm.org.uk/members
• Press enquiries should be directed to Cat Dean on 020 7520 8932, email: cat.dean@volunteeringengland.org.uk
• Statistics from the 2005 Citizenship Survey