MEMBERS of Thornbury and District Volunteer Link are celebrating national Volunteers Week by holding an open week at their offices in Thornbury Town Hall.

All next week the office will have extended openeing hours between 10am and 2pm and on each day members will be focusing onthe many different areas of volunteering work.

The theme for each day will be: Monday- caring and befriending; Tuesday- driving; Wednesday - advice and information; Thursday - older people; Friday- youth volunteering including gap year projects.

Local groups representing each category will have displays and information from as many organisations as possible will be available. There will also be information and advice on all other aspects of voluntary work available locally.

Volunteer Link manager Kim Webb said: "We are hoping that everyone, including current volunteers, representatives from organisations seeking volunteers and people interested in finding out what the Link is able to offer, will pop in for a chat and a cup of tea.

"We think people will be amazed at the variety of volunteering opportunities available in the local area. We also hold details of opportunities further afield and even abroad."

Meanwhile Bristol-based charity, Brunelcare, I is marking the special week by launching its own fresh appeal for volunteers.

Brunelcare's nursing homes, day care centres and charity shops across the area are looking for volunteers of all ages to help with day-to-day activities, including raising much needed funds and befriending the older people who use the centres.

Ralph Bellamy, activities manager for the charity, said: "Anyone can become a volunteer and they can commit as much or little time as they like - every hour can help to make a difference to the lives of the older population in South Gloucestershire and Bristol."

"Our care and nursing staff work extremely hard looking after the needs of the residents but volunteers can bring that little extra in terms of friendship and time. For example, they can organise a visit to the local shops which, for a resident or client, is a real treat.

"We are also grateful to all the volunteers who help to raise funds for the charity. This money is spent on social activities for the residents such as days out to the seaside, which again greatly enhances the quality of their lives."

He added: "Being Volunteers' Week, we'd like to take this opportunity to say a big a big thank you to all the charity's existing team of more than 100 volunteers."

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Ralph Bellamy on 0117 914 4224.