DR MIKE NUSSBAUM

Dr Mike Nussbaum, former chair of Volunteering England and third sector champion for nearly five decades, has been appointed as chair of the Expert Volunteer Initiative’s national steering group.

He said: “I am delighted to be chairing this working group as this initiative will help to build a framework that will change lives. As a person with a visual impairment, I have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties that people face in gaining employment and fulfilling their potential so I know how important an initiative like this is.

“In any community helping one another is the glue that helps those communities develop so tapping into the skills and experience of local people to support their neighbours into work is a challenge I am really looking forward to."

Roy O’Shaughnessy, chief executive of Careers Development Group, said: “With someone of Dr Nussbaum’s stature and experience taking up the reins, this Big Society initiative is starting to take shape and gain momentum.

“The latest unemployment figures show why this initiative is needed because we cannot afford to have a divided society with so many struggling to get into work when others can lend a hand. We are all responsible for supporting those who are long-term unemployed or cannot get onto the employment ladder in the first place.”