At Volunteering Matters, we partner with volunteers to strengthen communities, empower young people, and improve educational access and inclusion across the UK. Through our work in schools, colleges, and communities, we aim to:

• Foster youth agency by encouraging young people to take an active role in shaping their futures.
• Diversify learning experiences by connecting education to real-world social action and volunteering.
• Address exclusionary barriers in education, ensuring all students thrive, especially during critical transitions.

Our response to the review

In our submission to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we answered the consultation questions where we have the most relevant evidence and expertise.

Our response highlights the transformative power of:

• Volunteering to inspire personal growth and build lifelong skills.
• Youth social action to enhance equity and give students a voice in their learning.
• Community engagement to strengthen inclusion and resilience in education.

Our vision for the future

We believe curricula and assessment frameworks should:

• Go beyond academic achievement, integrating volunteering and social action as key components of learning.
• Empower students to become active contributors to society.
• Create opportunities for personal development, collaboration, and connection to the wider community.

By embedding these principles into education, we can create a system that fosters equity, builds resilience, and supports every student to reach their potential.