December is the season of goodwill and a time when people are often more receptive to helping others. Last year a new trend started - people donated money to loved ones favourite charities rather than buying gifts. This year, with the credit crunch and youth unemployment at record levels, young people may find it increasingly difficult to pay for gifts or donate money again. v, the youth volunteering charity, plan to make it possible for young people across England to still give a gift, without it costing them a penny with "Give the gift of time. It's personal and costs nothing."

v is going to open a flagship store in London, offering advice on how young people could use their time as a gift this year - for friends and family and the local community. The message will be "Come inside, speak to one of our experts and get inspired on how to spend your time". The store will be manned by staff and volunteers. Inside the store, young people will be able to review different ways of giving time to a friend or family member, and our staff will also promote different ways of doing something very similar for their community - i.e. volunteering! For example, a young person might say they are happy to give their time to walk their dad's dog every Saturday for a month - so v staff and volunteers will promote "If you are happy to give your time dog walking, why not also help with a local charity who needs dog walkers?"

The vinvolved team in Coventry have been selected as one of the regional teams to deliver this campaign locally. On Saturday 5th and Saturday 12th December the Voluntary Action Coventry info centre will be turned into a grotto, there will be a team of young volunteers tasked to go out into town and engage with their peers and promote the concept of "giving the gift of time". Young people will be invited back to the info centre where they will be assisted to complete a voucher with the gift of time offer on, this comes with a presentation envelope that the young person can give a loved one at Christmas and there will be festive treats and goodies for all young people who complete a voucher.

On the 19th December the vinvolved team are holding an amnesty for young people to come in and submit their volunteering hours for 2009. Young volunteers who do this will then be issued their vawards which are national accreditation for youth volunteering. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to offer advice and support, again, there will be festive treats and goodies for all young people who submit their hours.

You can also complete a gift of time token online at http://vinspired.com/giftoftimeapp 

For more information on the Festive Favours campaign or to find out more about the vawards, please contact the vinvolved team on 024 7622 0381 or email vinvolved@vacoventry.org.uk