Volunteer work? I wouldn't do it if you paid me

10:19am Wednesday 19th December 2007

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PEOPLE in the Cotswolds are being urged to make a New Year's resolution to take up volunteer work to fill the hundreds of unfilled positions throughout the county.

The Cotswold Volunteer Centre, in Sheep Street, Cirencester, is calling on community-minded residents to get involved in order to meet the county's volunteer targets.

The Gloucestershire Local Area Agreement, a blueprint document which aims to improve the quality of life for residents over the next ten years, is aiming for a three-year target of 18 percent of all adults to volunteer for two hours every week.

New volunteers in the Cotswolds, including towns such as Cirencester, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh and Tetbury will play a crucial role in helping the county achieve its overall target.

Jane Winstanley, manager at the Cotswold Volunteer Centre, said: "People often see the new year period as a time to think about what they would like to change about their lives.

"Volunteering can help to achieve this as giving up some time to help others can often result in people learning new skills which are transferable to paid work.

"Most volunteers are an extremely sociable bunch and I'd defy anyone not to make friends through volunteering."

For more information on volunteering opportunities in the Cotswolds contact Jane on 01285 658802 or click on the link below.