HRH Princess Anne visits Lattitude Global Volunteering volunteers and staff

On 8th November 2013, HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Lattitude Global Volunteering, visited Streetlife, a charity that supports homeless and vulnerable young people in the Blackpool area.

Streetlife is one of the many partner charities where Lattitude volunteers work during their stay in the UK. Each year Lattitude international volunteers provide support for young people at the night shelter and at the drop-in centre at Streetlife.

As part of the visit The Princess enjoyed a video presentation by current Lattitude volunteers about their experiences at Streetlife since travelling to the UK from Australia and Ghana.

The Princess spoke in support of the work of Lattitude Global Volunteering, highlighting the positive impact that young people can make through volunteering - on communities and for their own development.

During the visit The Princess enjoyed meeting Lattitude volunteers from Australia, Ecuador, Ghana, and New Zealand as well as representatives from other Lattitude host partners in the region. She also presented awards to two British volunteers in recognition of the continued support they provide to the communities in which they worked during their international volunteering placements in Ghana and Vanuatu.

Kaisu Fagan took the opportunity to thank The Princess, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Lattitude Global Volunteering, for her continuing support as our Patron.

Joanne Smithson, CEO of Lattitude Global Volunteering said:

“We were delighted to welcome Princess Anne to our partner host, Streetlife. Everyone enjoyed meeting the Princess and we were proud to hear her speak in support of Lattitude and the ways in which the organisation works in partnership to support youth development through international volunteering. The Princess made special mention of Lattitude’s involvement in delivering the UK government’s International Citizen Service programme which enables us to provide opportunities to young people who would otherwise not be able to consider volunteering overseas. ”

Each year more than 1000 young volunteers from 8 countries participate in Lattitude programmes in 17 countries worldwide. More than 250 international volunteers support a range of organisations in the UK. Lattitude Global Volunteering celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2012.


Notes to editors.

1.
For further information, pictures and interviews, please contact Nick Adie on 0118 956 2908 nadie@lattitude.org.uk We are able to offer spokespeople from the charity, as well as returned volunteers and parents. We also have a large selection of photographs and written case-studies submitted by young volunteers on placements around the world.

2.
Lattitude Global Volunteering is a charity specialising in volunteering for 17 – 25 year olds. We provide unique experiences of voluntary work placements for young people from around the world.

3.
Lattitude Global Volunteering has a global network of placements that spans 17 countries and includes projects in conservation, caring, community, camps and outdoor, medical, sports coaching, teaching, and language assisting. Current destinations include Canada, Argentina, Ecuador, Ghana, Ireland, Malawi, Poland, South Africa, Australia, China, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, UK, Vietnam, Vanuatu and India.

4.
Lattitude Global Volunteering is a UK registered international youth development charity (No. 272761), a company limited by guarantee (No. 01289296), a founder member of the Year Out Group, a member of BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development) and a member of the Foreign Office “Know Before You Go” campaign