Teenagers urged to get behind charities

Charity shops have struck a deal with a leading youth programme to help fill up 95,000 volunteer roles as the sector recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Citizen Service (NCS) is partnering with charity shops for the first phase of its One Million Hours of Doing Good campaign, which encourages 16 to 18-yearolds to transform their "summer of disappointment" through volunteering.

It estimates around 100,000 teenagers could engage with the programme, but hopes more will take part given the disruption of normal activities.

The charity sector has been badly hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, with shops in the UK losing around £3.4m in sales a day for their parent charities.

The Charity Retail Association

(CRA) fears up to half of volunteers may be unable to return immediately, due to shielding, public transport struggles and feeling unable to leave the house during the pandemic.

CRA chief executive Robin Osterley said: "Young people have a genuine sense of what is right and what is good, and I think it will be something they will jump at. Before the pandemic, we were definitely seeing a big appetite for shopping in charity shops amongst younger people developing, and I think this is a great opportunity for them to do some good, alongside our existing valued volunteers."

Youngsters will be able to sign up to help at a local store from June 8.

NCS Trust CEO Mark Gifford said: “Volunteering will provide an alternative route to develop life skills.”