Staff from an advertising agency are taking time off work to take part in a programme helping troubled teenagers.

Workers from Aardvark Communications will be giving up 50 hours of service between them to the Mirrors project, which aims to change the mindset of 15- to 18-year-olds.

Yesterday, Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler called for companies across the Island to follow Aardvark's example by giving staff time off to work on the programme.

Volunteers are needed to help run a course and serve on an enrolment team, with up to 40 youths involved in the initial stages.

"We are here today to laud the philanthropic commitment of one of Bermuda's well know creative companies, Aardvark Communications," Mr. Butler told a press conference.

"My hope is that other companies in Bermuda will take heed of the lead taken by Aardvark. In order for the Mirrors programme to be successful, we need businesses to cooperate by allowing their employees who have become committed partner volunteers time off from work to participate in the programme.

"Too often it is easy to be an armchair philanthropist — to help by donating money. While this is always welcome, often what is needed are blood, sweat and tears, given freely and without expectation of reward."

Aardvark general manager Kerry Judd, who has been involved with Mirrors since its inception earlier this year, said she allowed her staff to take a day off work after they told her they were keen to take part in the programme, but were unable to do so in their own time.