HERE comes summer - and another chance for businesses in York to back a scheme powered by the kindness and canniness of youth.

York Millennium Volunteers, the organisation that encourages 16-to-24 year olds to volunteer to contribute to the community, is preparing to tackle another three projects in only four weeks, starting in July.

The three groups, who at the outset are complete strangers to one another, attend team development and project management training to each handle a budget of £1,500.

This year, with the support of businesses, York MV plans to:

Renovate the multiple sclerosis charity shop, , for Woodlands MS respite care centre in Tang Hall,York, providing behind-the-scenes storage solutions and a shopfront makeover

Create a wildlife garden at Brunswick Organic Nursery, Bishopthorpe, York, for adults with learning difficulties

Develop an education outreach project for the National Railway Museum to encourage under-represented groups to benefit from their resources.

Organisers hope that businesses will come forward to help just as they have on two previous summers.

They can contribute discounted materials, expert advice and financial help with the project budgets.

Jacqui Tesselment, the York MV programme manager, said: "Less tangible, but just as important, is the learning afforded by the experience of working with the business community: selling ideas, negotiating discounts, finding creative solutions and harnessing resources.

"For most young people, this is their first opportunity to be truly entrepreneurial; it is this part of the experience which they invariably cite as the most enduring memory of the projects.

"The summer projects offer the chance to invest in both the local community and in the personal development of young people in ways which are relevant and flexible to local, national and global businesses alike."

In return for this investment her organisation offered media coverage; targeted promotion of business involvement to the 16-24 year old market, including all post-16 educational institutions (The University of York, College of York St John, York College, Askham Bryan College and school sixth forms); promotion of business involvement throughout its city-wide network, including more than 100 not-for-profit organisations and the City of York Council; and a high profile opening ceremony with civic dignitaries

"Having seen the sites before and after the projects, I am amazed at what the volunteers have achieved. It is a great example of how organisations and individuals can work together to benefit the community"

Want to contribute your corporate cash, know how and/or materials? Then phone York MV office at 01904 432498.

Hard work transforms schools and community buildings...

DURING the past two summers 50 young people have given 5,000 hours to six much-needed community projects.

In 2001, apart from turning a Tang Hall Primary School classroom into a crche for local parents engaged in adult education, they built a sensory garden for the blind and partially-sighted residents at The Wilberforce Trust, in Tadcaster Road, York, and created an outdoor 'chill out zone' for students at Canon Lee School, York.

Last year the three teams decked a tired and uninspiring area of tarmac for residents and their families at Lime Trees, making it a great place to sit and talk; created a collection of craft kit boxes for loan to Tang Hall community groups in partnership with York East Arts; and redecorated a youth room at Burton Stone Community Centre, York, with a pop art theme, installing a kitchen/coffee bar.

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, May 27, 2003