"Three cheers for volunteers!" says London MEP.

11.06.50am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Nov 2005

Sarah Ludford MEP with (l-r) Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Southgate, Chair of the Volunteer Centre Merton, Sarah Wilson, and Director of the Centre Andy Norrell

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford spoke on Monday November 7th to the AGM of Volunteer Centre Merton as part of the Year of the Volunteer, which aims to raise the profile of volunteering whilst getting more young people involved in volunteer projects. As November is "Europe Month," she talked about the EU's role in promoting volunteering.

She expressed her strong support and respect for voluntary activities:

"As the EU enlarges to new countries, we need to make sure that all our citizens feel a sense of belonging. Active citizens are essential to a thriving democracy. Volunteering contributes to a healthy society as it promotes inclusion and forges bonds between communities. It is also economically important, and volunteers learn new skills which often help towards a job."

"Volunteer Centre Merton is a great example not just of individuals working on behalf of their community, but of essential support and training being provided to volunteers to make projects a success."

"There is significant EU funding which voluntary projects can access. Many EU member states though lack the kind of support bodies for volunteering that we have in Britain. I will continue to lobby for a "European Year of Volunteers" and a strategy to assist volunteering throughout the EU, in which British experience would take a lead."