It has long been recognised that volunteering has many benefits, not just for those whom the volunteer serves, but also for the volunteer themselves and for the organisation offering volunteering opportunities.

For the church this is not less so, in fact it is not a case of volunteering for personal benefit but a way of serving God himself and can lead to specific gifts being brought to notice that may otherwise have been hidden. To this end, encouraging young people to volunteer can play a significant part in their own development, both naturally and spiritually.

However, there are specific things to consider when encouraging the young to volunteer; certain caveats, processes, procedures and safeguarding measures need to be addressed.