Melvyn Blackman has been lending a hand at Prospect Hospice for six years Picture Ref: 77693-143FROM giving foot massages to raising funds, volunteers are needed across Swindon.

And with today the start of National Volunteer Week now is the time to offer your services.

Volunteer Centre Swindon has 296 different opportunities for people who can spare some of their time to help local people.

Heidi Mabbott, information worker at the centre, said: "You can volunteer to do absolutely anything at all.

"The range of opportunities available is enormous, for example working in a shop, designing a web site, conservation work, helping out in a children's football club, befriending a new mum or fixing computers the list is endless.

"Volunteers can be of any age. You can use the opportunity to gain experience or learn new skills or you could be passing your skills on.

"Whatever the motivation, volunteering brings its own rewards of knowing you have helped someone, or made somewhere a better place."

One local organisation which really benefits from the work of more than 200 volunteers is the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton. And the work the volunteers do is certainly varied. Clare Stiles, who has volunteered at the hospice for 12 years, said: "One week I can be cleaning a greenhouse and the next giving a hand and foot massage to a patient.

"I can't imagine a paid job where there's such variety."

Melvyn Blackman, 58, from Wootton Bassett, has been volunteering at the hospice for six years since he took early retirement.

He drives patients to and from the day hospice, serves meals and refreshments, is a trustee and sits on the health and safety committee.

"I was fortunate to retire at 52 but you have got to keep the old grey matter working and I wanted to put something back," he said.

"I do get a lot out of it and it is not all doom and gloom down there, it is quite a cheerful and upbeat place. I feel I am doing something useful."

Paul Bentley, volunteer services manager at Prospect, praised the people who give their time for free.

"Our volunteers are crucial to the efficient operation of the hospice," he said. "It's amazing last year alone people volunteered almost 200,000 hours of their free time to help the hospice in one way or another, including making 170,000 cups of tea and coffee and answering more than 280,000 telephone calls."

Volunteer Centre Swindon will have a stall in the Brunel Centre from 9am to 3.30pm tomorrow to promote volunteering.

"If you are thinking of volunteering but are not sure what opportunities are available why not stop by for a quick chat and pick up a leaflet for more information?" said Heidi.

"The staff from the volunteer centre look forward to suggesting a range of opportunities to suit you."

Anyone interested in volunteering can ring 01793 420557, or drop into 1 John Street, Swindon, between 11am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, or log on to www.swindonvolunteers.org.uk

Anyone who wants to volunteer at Prospect should ring Paul Bentley on 01793 813355 or email paulb@prospect-hospice.net

Each day this week we will feature a different way you can volunteer locally.

Top 21

TO mark the 21st Volunteers Week, Volunteering England has compiled a top 21 unusual ways to volunteer.

They are toad warden, tandem bike rider, pet foster carer, cheerleader, festival volunteer, historic ship crew, neighbour dispute mediator, lifeboat crew member, radio producer, death row pen pal, skin camouflage instructor, beach watcher, sound archivist, emergency relief worker, support worker for prisoners' families, complementary therapist, music sourcer, emergency cartographer, kids theatre volunteer, resuscitation trainer, and green gym environmental worker.

Isabel Field