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Minister goes back to school for Volunteers' Week

5 June 2008
CAB/061/08

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, today volunteered at Winton Primary School in King's Cross as part of national Volunteers' Week. The Minister, a former teacher himself, helped to teach maths in an after school scheme which aims to encourage pupils to learn maths by linking the course with football.

The programme uses textbooks with a football theme provided by Arsenal Football Club to motivate pupils to practice addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. Following the study period, the after school club, organised by Community Service Volunteers (CSV), offers a football training session with Arsenal FC coaches.

The Minister for the Third Sector said:

“It's nice to be back in a classroom for the first time in 29 years. Having started my career as a science teacher, it is very encouraging to see children engaged in such an innovative scheme that will have a positive impact on their education.

“Volunteering plays an important role in engaging people within their communities and provides much needed support for disadvantaged people in society. The impact of volunteering mentoring on young people can be extremely powerful in connecting them with society.”

This visit by the Minster forms part of Volunteers' Week, which runs from June 1 to 7 and will see groups up and down the country running events to promote volunteering.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, used today's visit to demonstrate the government's support and recognition of the role and importance of volunteers and the contribution they make to communities.

A number of Government ministers are taking part in projects during the week, including Sir Gus O'Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, who volunteered as a cycling coach at a Forest Centre in Essex and Health Secretary Alan Johnson who spent a day working in a shop in St Bartholomew's Hospital in central London.

Notes to Editors

1. The visit took place at Winton Primary School, Killick Street, Kings Cross, London N1 9AZ T:0207 837 6096.
2. More information on the work the Government is doing to promote volunteering can be found on the website of the Office of the Third Sector: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.
3. Volunteers Week 2008 runs from 1st-6th June 2008 for further information please see: http://www.volunteersweek.org.uk/ [External website].

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