The World of Difference UK programme, delivered by the Vodafone Foundation, launches today to give 500 people the power to make a difference by putting something back into the community.
The two month programme gives people the opportunity to take a paid placement with a UK charity of their choice. World of Difference UK is open to anyone over 18 in the UK who has the passion, drive and commitment to donate themselves to a charity. Taking part involves finding the right charity to suit interests, skills and experience and completing an online application form at vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference by 3 November 2009.
Finding the right charity is easy as the website has a unique online Charity Matchmaker tool, developed in consultation with the UK's leading volunteering charity, WorldWide Volunteering. If you're successful, the Vodafone Foundation will pay the charity you choose a total of £2,500 and you'll get the balance when tax and National Insurance have been paid. In addition, Vodafone UK will donate a new mobile phone and pre-paid credit to each of the 500 successful applicants so they can share their experiences with friends and family and inspire others to make a difference. The deadline for applications for World of Difference UK is 3 November, with the first placements beginning in January 2010.
"For people who feel passionate about a charity or cause, or for those who simply have time on their hands, Vodafones World of Difference programme offers an ideal opportunity to help others whilst gaining valuable life and work experience," said Andrew Dunnett, Director of the Vodafone Foundation. "We've seen a huge surge of interest in UK-based charity placements, with over 127,000 Facebook fans following us when we launched our International programme earlier this year. World of Difference UK gives people who want to donate themselves, and get paid, the chance to put that passion into practice."
Eight UK winners from the Vodafone Foundation's World of Difference International programme have been confirmed today.The winners (Nick Eastcott from Dorset, Kathryn Becher from Devon, Lucy Buck from East Sussex, Max Griffiths from London, Naomi Pendle from Bath, Zoe Vowles from London, Rebecca Webb from Southampton and Jain Reid from London) beat 1,000 applicants to work for their chosen charities overseas for 12 months, with salary and expenses paid up to £45,000.
