vInspired volunteering service acquired by Speakers for Schools
Melanie May | 22 October 2021 | News
Youth volunteering service vInspired has been acquired by social mobility charity Speakers for Schools, following its acquisition of Fledglink, both announced this week.
Speakers for Schools is investing in re-engaging and growing the vInspired service as part of its wider mission to support the growth of young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The vInspired service, which includes vinspired.com and the V awards, was developed by the youth volunteering charity vInspired in 2009 and has helped connect over 1.4 million young people with thousands of UK charities.
Advertisement
It closed in 2018, following a change in government and funding priorities, with Bob Barbour, its then Director of Digital taking on the vinspired.com platform, in partnership with Matt Haworth and his team at social tech innovators Reason Digital. Barbour is now handing it over to Speakers for Schools.
Barbour said:
“I’m extremely proud to have kept this key part of the vInspired legacy alive for the past two years and to pass the torch over to Speakers for Schools. I’m confident that we’ve now found the right home for the vInspired service including vInspired.com and V awards and that Speakers for Schools will provide an excellent service to charities and young volunteers.”
Andrew Law, Chair of Speakers for Schools, added:
“I am delighted to welcome the vInspired service into the Speakers for Schools family. The service and Speakers for Schools have aligned missions to impact more young people in more ways. Volunteering and social action improves mental health, strengthens communities, and can connect young people with further education, employment, or training. As we recover from the pandemic, young people need this more than ever.”
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.