A NEW initiative has been launched to allow workers and bosses to join forces and do their bit to help the local community.

York Cares is an independent charity, which has already received the backing of local employers including City of York Council, Corus, Garbutt & Elliott, Norwich Union, and the University of York, and is affiliated to Business In The Community.

Now more companies and their employees are being urged to volunteer their time and expertise.

York Cares provides the opportunity for employees to volunteer for just one hour a week, with the support of their employer, to benefit the local community.

Activities might include helping a charity to write a business plan, chatting with residents of elderly people's homes for an hour after work, mentoring secondary school students or working in a team to revamp a garden.

Right To Read is one of the programmes that workers can join and be trained up to support children's reading in primary schools.

Teri Aldersey, senior marketing consultant at Norwich Union and Right To Read volunteer, said: "I love the fact that I can use my lunch breaks to do something so constructive.

"It's amazing what a difference just one hour a week can make to the kids. It's just so rewarding."

Mike Kirsch, chairman of York Cares and executive director at Norwich Union Life, said: "At the time of year when people are making New Year resolutions to change their habits, we are hoping that volunteering can be one resolution that is fulfilled."

Commenting on Right To Read, he said: "The programme is designed to provide one-to-one literacy support to primary schoolchildren.

"The children benefit, the volunteers benefit and employers benefit from the personal development of their staff - it's a win-win-win situation."

He said: "York is undoubtedly a vibrant city, but its image as a popular tourist destination can sometimes mask hidden pockets of disadvantage.

"York Cares brings together businesses, employees and communities so that we can make a real difference to our city - we only need people to volunteer their time."

The five founding member companies of York Cares have already recruited more than 300 volunteers, giving more than 5,000 hours of time to support 50 community projects in the city, and are now urging more organisations and their staff to take part in the programme.

For further information about how to join York Cares or to volunteer your time, phone Gayle Johnson on 01904 433482 or email: gayle@yorkcares.co.uk

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, January 10, 2006