A PONTYPOOL-BASED housing association will be one of more than 700 organisations who will be helping young people during National Volunteers Week and the #iwill pledge.

Melin Homes’s pledge is to work with 25 local schools over the next five years, engage and recruit more young people to join their youth group ‘The Volume’, and increase apprenticeship opportunities.

Paula Kennedy, the chief executive of Melin Homes, said: “We are passionate about developing our relationship with local schools in every borough we work.

"We recognize the importance of developing, encouraging and embracing the young people of today.

"We want to create opportunities for as many 10 to 20 year olds as possible, this will enhance their skills and strengthen communities.

"We will continue to develop our schools programme, apprenticeship opportunities and our youth group The Volume."

The campaign aims to ensure that all young people can access social action opportunities, whatever their background.

The recent Youth Social Action survey found current levels of participation by 10 to 20 year-olds stands at 42 per cent . The #iwill goal is to raise this to 60 per cent by 2020, which will mean an additional 1.5 million young people are active in their communities.

Charlotte Hill, the chief executive of the charity that co-ordinates the #iwill campaign Step Up To Serve, said : “We are delighted that Melin Homes has pledged to support our work, and today is sharing their progress to inspire others to take part also.

"If we are to make involvement in social action the norm for 10 to 20 year-olds we need partners to commit to tangible actions just as they are doing.

"The involvement of Melin will undoubtedly help us progress towards our challenging goal."

National Volunteers Week runs until Friday, November 24.