Volunteers are to be given a helping hand in Maldon Volunteer Development Agency's bid to reach its Pledge of Time target in time for National Volunteers Week from June 1 to 7.

The agency has already clocked up 2,300 volunteer hours worked since the start of the year, just 700 short of its 3,000-hour target.

Now the agency is offering free training to people willing to give up some of their time to volunteer.

Free training courses for existing and new volunteers will take place throughout the district as part of Adult Learners' Week from May 17.

Each will have a special focus including coping with loss and bereavement, volunteering to help people with learning difficulties, coping with Alzheimer's Disease, care for the elderly, deaf awareness and public speaking skills.

The agency's Alex Neal said that the week had two aims, to encourage more people to volunteer and to recognise the efforts of the "unsung heroes" of our community.

"National Volunteers Week is a chance for anyone to step outside their normal role. This is for people who perhaps haven't volunteered before.

''If they have a taste of it perhaps they will want to do some more or perhaps it could even lead to a new career."

As part of the challenge volunteers are being asked to pledge one to three hours of their time for activities from weeding a disabled neighbour's garden, clearing rubbish from local hedgerows, sitting and chatting to an elderly person or doing some shopping.

Jane Biddulph, training and new initiatives officer for the agency, added: "The choice is endless and up to the individual, as long as it benefits the community in some way.

''We are already three-quarters of the way towards our target, but we need more pledges, volunteering really does make a difference."

To make your pledge or to find out more about training courses call the agency on 01621 851891.

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