PEOPLE are being sought who have an hour a week to spare and would like to help someone in their local community.

The Onside organisation supports local people through advocacy, mentoring and befriending and is proving extremely popular, which is why it needs new volunteers in the area.

Onside is looking for people to provide a supportive and reliable relationship to people who would otherwise be isolated or need help with an issue in their lives.

The support may involve visiting the person at home or helping them to get out and about in the local community, helping them to access services or find out information so the person can make their own choice about an issue in their lives.

The charity is also seeking volunteers to act as group leaders and supporters for its interest groups, which includes walking, knitting, and gardening, where older adults meet in local community settings around interests they have in common.

Volunteers are people of all ages and backgrounds, they just need to be good listeners, open and non-judgmental.

One volunteer said: "I really enjoyed the training and my partnership has given me so much pleasure already. It is a wonderful feeling when you know you’ve helped and made even a small difference to someone else’s life."

Anyone who can picture themselves in the role of mentor, advocate or befriender can call Claire on 01905 27525 or email volunteering@onside-advocacy.org.uk to find out more.

This type of volunteering can be very flexible to fit with people's life and circumstances and can be as little as one hour a month. Free training is provided and all expenses paid.

For more details visit onside-advocacy.org.uk or call the above number.