Our thoughts on the Home Office proposals to use volunteering as a form of contribution towards earned settlement

At Go Volunteer Glos, we’ve been reviewing the Home Office proposals to use volunteering as a form of contribution towards earned settlement. You can view the full proposals here: https://lnkd.in/e9j8NCpY

We welcome the recognition that volunteers “are a valued part of British life and their contributions enrich communities across the country.” We strongly agree... volunteering plays a vital role in building stronger, more connected communities.

However, we do have significant concerns.

If volunteering becomes linked to immigration status, it risks changing the nature of what makes it so effective: choice, goodwill, and intrinsic motivation.

It may also place serious and significant administrative demands on VCSE organisations (many of which are already operating at capacity and without additional funding to take on a compliance or verification role).

The consultation closed on 12 February. We will share further updates as they become available.

We would welcome your thoughts by email to support@govolunteerglos.org