International youth development charity, Lattitude Global Volunteering, has become a partner provider for International Citizen Service (ICS). The programme, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), enables young people aged 18-25 to contribute to international development and to enhance their own skills through overseas volunteering projects in some of the world’s poorest countries.
ICS sees young volunteers from the UK work in teams alongside volunteers from 24 developing countries. Projects are proposed by local people to address the needs of their community. The projects are delivered by local and UK volunteers who live and work together, sharing insights and experiences.
The outcomes of the ICS programme are threefold: to deliver a lasting development impact; to help volunteers from the UK and from host countries learn important personal and professional skills; and to instil in these volunteers a commitment to being active citizens, engaged in their own communities to continue tackling the causes of poverty.
Commenting on how ICS fits with Lattitude’s own programmes, Joanne Smithson, CEO of Lattitude Global Volunteering said:
“We are delighted to be delivering International Citizen Service in Ghana and Malawi, two countries where Lattitude has longstanding partnerships with local communities. Lattitude has been supporting youth development through international volunteering for over 40 years, and the outcomes of this government funded programme align very closely with our own charitable objectives. We are proud to be working amongst some of the most respected development and international volunteering organisations to deliver a programme that enables sustainable development and enhances the skills and confidence of young people.”
Lattitude Global Volunteering will help deliver the ICS target of sending 7000 young people on overseas volunteering placements. It will provide team working opportunities in Ghana and Malawi, on projects helping to tackle issues of health, education and community development.
The first group of Lattitude ICS volunteers will travel to Ghana and Malawi in January 2014 to work alongside their peers on projects focussed on health, education and community outreach.Recruitment and training of young people as volunteers and volunteer Team Leaders is now open. To find out more visit lattitude.org.uk/international-citizen-service/ or call 0118 959 49014
