More than 200 people have expressed an interest in becoming volunteers for the Mirrors programme after Government kicked off a recruitment drive earlier this week.

The Social Rehabilitation Ministry handed out 1,800 brochures encouraging people to get involved with the youth development scheme, Minister Dale Butler revealed yesterday.

During a Budget debate on his Ministry's headquarters, Mr. Butler praised the success of Mirrors as he justified a rise in its budget to $2.15 million, up from $1.76 million in 2008/09.

He told the House of Assembly he and other project leaders get stopped in the street by people saying how Mirrors has changed their lives.

Mr. Butler said Mirrors gives youths the opportunity to continually develop.

He added in a statement released by the Ministry encouraging people to sign up as volunteers: "Current volunteers of the programme often express their amazement at the level of personal development and growth that takes place in their own lives as well as in the youth."

Two intensive residential programmes will take part this year: one in June for 18- to 21-year-olds, and one in November for 15- to 18-year-olds.

"We have seen the positive effect of the Mirrors programme on the 92 participants of Mirrors and we are convinced that Mirrors can make an impact on many more of our young people," added the Minister.

He later said his "major fear" regarding Mirrors was that the Bermudians who are being trained to run the programme by overseas experts will leave the Island because they are not being appreciated.

Anyone who wants to volunteer should call the Mirrors office on 295-9291 or e-mail mirrors@gov.bm

The Ministry headquarters' communications budget goes up from $36,000 to $55,000 for the year, with Mr. Butler saluting the efforts of the Department of Communications and Information team in getting the word out.

He singled out press officer Robin Holder for praise, declaring him so dedicated he sometimes stops doing the tango during his social hours so he can go to his computer and send out a press release.

Mr. Butler also gave a presentation on Child and Family Services, explaining that its budget had increased from $13.66 million to $17.83 million largely as a result of greater spending on the psychoeducational programme, which assists young people who might not necessarily be helped by Mirrors, some of whom need to be sent abroad for treatment.