Volunteers 'vital community resource', says AM

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice spokesperson Peter Black AM visited the Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) trailer in Swansea city centre this morning to help them launch their contribution to National Volunteers Week.

Mr. Black said:

"The number of people involved in some sort of volunteering activity is remarkable. Statistics suggest that 69% of the adult population take part in some form of unpaid volunteering activity, and there are 3- 4000 such volunteer organisations in Swansea.

"Volunteers are a vital community resource. Visiting people in their homes, giving advice, helping with shopping or gardening, or befriending; all are practical examples of the health of our communities, and an expression of our interdependence as citizens and as human beings.

"The numbers involved in volunteer activities are an inspiration. But there is scope for more, and more people who can benefit. That is why I would urge anybody who wants to help to contact Swansea Council for Voluntary Service, and see what opportunities are available."

Ends

Note for Editors:

More information about volunteering is available from SCVS on: 01792 544000, or email: jeannette_williams@scvs.org.uk