Ian Ball, Associate Dean of the University of Dundee's Faculty of Education and Social Work, is to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street tomorrow, hosted by the Prime Minister and Mrs Blair.
Ian received a special invitation to the event, during which Mr and Mrs Blair will recognise the efforts of 200 of the nation's volunteers who give up their free time to become involved in their community.
He is also head of Community Education at the University's Gardyne Road Campus, and has been invited to Downing Street in his capacity as voluntary chair for Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS), the national centre for volunteering and community involvement.
He is part of the estimated 40% of Scotland's adults who give a total of 12 million hours of volunteering time every year. As chair of VDS he helps to form an important link between the many different volunteering organisations in Scotland and the Scottish Executive.
He said, "I am delighted to have been invited to Downing Street and it is gratifying to know that the government recognises the important contribution made by volunteers across the UK.
"The profile of volunteering has changed dramatically over the last decade, in terms of the wide range of individuals who take part and in the different sectors, from education and health to environmental and arts and culture groups, which have now become involved. Volunteering gives people a stake in their community and it is a vital step towards a more inclusive society."
Ian Ball can be contacted on 01382 464389