Voluntary groups pay a vital role in supporting many health and community services. But finding the people willing and able to do this work is a constant challenge, as KAREN GRATTAGE reports.

THE year of the volunteer is drawing to a close - but organisations in York are still struggling to find enough people willing to do unpaid work.

A massive effort to find new volunteers was launched, with the Government aiming to increase their number by 25 per cent across the country.

But many groups say they are always desperate for more helpers, despite constantly advertising for new staff.

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) is one of the country's most well-known organisations, but is always seeking people to run its tea bars, shops and library services.

In York, the service has been crying out for more volunteers for months, and now needs 40 people to replace all those who have retired, died, or can no longer offer their time.

Co-ordinator Judy Duff said: "At York Hospital we have a caf, shop and gift shop, which are all run by volunteers, and so we need a lot of people to keep them going. All the money we raise is also gifted back to the hospital to spend on whatever services it wishes.

"Our volunteers range from age 14 to 75 plus - but a lot of them are older people and there is always a turnover of those unable to work any more."

Most people can only spare three hours every week, and so the number of volunteers needed to manage the service is high.

Pauline Marchant, who manages the volunteers at the hospital, said: "There are a lot of shifts to cover and we need three people just in the shop at busy times. If we don't find people, we can't survive."

Colin Stroud, chief executive of York Council for Voluntary Service, based in Priory Street in the city, admitted many organisations struggled to find helpers, despite all the efforts to promote volunteering this year.

"In York, many groups are finding it a lot harder to find volunteers than they used to," he said.

"There are always organisations which are popular, such as those which involve working with children, particularly the disabled, or helping the environment.

"But there is other work which is seen as less sexy and is often very demanding, so volunteers are just not forthcoming."

Many people were quick to volunteer when there was an incentive, said Mr Stroud.

Within days of the London Olympics being announced in July, 34,000 people had registered their interest in getting involved, and a similar picture is found for other sporting and music events.

The reaction to the Asian Tsunami, when aid agencies were flooded with calls from people wanting to go to the region, shows that human disasters spark an immediate response.

In contrast, the day-to-day duties for good causes with a much lower profile are more difficult to cater for.

However, thousands of people in York do volunteer every year.

Vital services such as the Woodlands Respite Care Centre for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis keep going thanks to 200 dedicated helpers.

A new photographic exhibition celebrating the contribution of local volunteers is being launched on Thursday at City Screen in York.

It is one of several initiatives funded by a £11,500 Government grant to help York Volunteer Centre as part of the Year of Volunteers.

The grant has also enabled the Priory Street Centre to extend its opening hours and respond to an extra 500 inquiries. It has a database of all the organisations in the area so that people wanting to volunteer can find out what work is available.

Mr Stroud said: "Last year the Volunteer Centre referred over 1,500 potential volunteers to 85 different organisations, and the benefit that brings to the city is immeasurable. We want to make people aware of the huge range of opportunities there is for getting involved."

He said organisations needed to make sure information was available - particularly to attract people searching the internet.

North Yorkshire Forum For Voluntary Organisations, which is holding its AGM at the Priory Street Centre on November 1, will be discussing how its groups can survive.

Its chief officer, Neil Irving, said: "In times of change and uncertainty, it is more important than ever that voluntary and community organisations think ahead and plan strategically for the future."

Anyone who wants to think about volunteering can visit the York Volunteer Centre or look up opportunities on the internet on www.do-it.org.uk

For more information on helping the WRVS, phone 0845 6014670.

Updated: 10:37 Monday, October 17, 2005