'It's a life-changing opportunity'

Heather Warrilow says her trip will offer a different perspective on life

When Heather Warrilow saw an e-mail offering the chance of volunteer work abroad, she thought it might be spam.

But when she found out it was about the new £10m scheme to give disadvantaged young adults experience of the wider world, she began to believe that her dreams might come true.

"It's always been a dream of mine to spend time as a volunteer abroad, but I never thought I could afford to go," she said.

Over the next three years, 2,500 people aged 18 to 25 are each due to do 10 weeks' work in developing countries including Ghana and South Africa.

They are getting their chance through a government scheme, backed by the Department for International Development, for people who would never normally have or afford the opportunity to take time out to volunteer abroad.

Among the first group of 12 to go abroad is 23-year-old Ms Warrilow from Birmingham. She has recently completed a post-graduate course and is now a qualified careers advisor.

Many people are stuck in their financial situations, and very few break away from their family situation to create something better for themselves Heather Warrilow

She spotted the e-mail about the volunteer scheme when temping while she was looking for work.

"It's such a good cause to go for, and I believe in doing good causes," she said.

"We will go to either South Africa or Ghana, and we could be doing conservation work, or putting up buildings, or putting in a water pump."

Ms Warrilow said she could not have afforded to take time off work and carry out such a trip herself.

"I had to fund everything myself though university, and take out student loans. I would never have been able to save up and go.

"It's an excellent scheme and could change people's whole perspective. This could open their eyes and show them how to change their future lives.

"Many people are stuck in their financial situations, and very few break away from their family situation to create something better for themselves.

"So this could be fundamentally life-changing".

Gaining life-skills

Tom Griffiths is founder of the travel advice website GapYear.com.

He says the young people getting to spend time away on the government's scheme will reap many benefits.

"They will go away as young people and come back as adults," he said.

"It's a great scheme. Getting a young person out of their environment is key.

"They will get to see how their lives are actually quite privileged, because they're not living with HIV or in an extremely poor community.

Several of the volunteers have met cabinet minister Douglas Alexander

"Also, kids who go to university today will incur up to £20,000 of debt, but many don't actually know what they want to do.

"Spending time on a gap year means they get a better idea of where their interests lie before they commit themselves to university and all its costs.

"Also, employers are interested in life skills such as initiative, communication and decision-making skills. Opportunities like this will give them that."

Mr Griffiths does think that the people taking part in the scheme should part-fund it themselves.

"It is an expensive project for the taxpayer but it is worthwhile. I think the future should see the government part-funding the trips, with the volunteers raising the rest themselves.

"That gives people the chance to feel that they have earned their opportunity and achieved it themselves."