Volunteer project aims to involve every citizen in city

A NEW project in Leeds aims to get every citizen in the city engaged in volunteering this year.

Today a volunteer centre will open in Leeds to make it easier for people to find out how they can get involved and help to match them to volunteering opportunities.

Coun Richard Brett, joint leader of Leeds City Council and executive board member with responsibility for the 2010 Year of Volunteering said: “Designating 2010 as the Leeds Year of Volunteering gives us the opportunity to promote the benefits of volunteering for the community and for people’s own personal development.

“It is also a great chance for us to celebrate the fantastic work that already takes place in the city.”

The initiative 2010 is the Leeds Year of Volunteering is led by the council and Voluntary Action Leeds. Its aim is to engage every citizen in a volunteering activity during the year.

The official launch of the 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering will take place today at Leeds City Museum from 10.30am.

Coun Brett added: “We want to make it easier for people to find out about volunteering opportunities and the new Volunteer Centre Leeds will help us to do this.

“We also want people to start thinking about volunteers who are making a real difference to other people’s lives for our celebration and awards night in December. Details on how to nominate people can be found on the website.”

Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Judith Elliott said: “Thousands of residents already give up their spare time to work as volunteers and the 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering is a celebration of the splendid work that they do.

“We want to encourage more people to do their bit for the city and the communities they live in, and this initiative will help to highlight all the different volunteering opportunities that there are. “Volunteering can be a one-off activity or a more long-term arrangement.”

For more information visit the Year of Volunteering website at www.leedsyearofvolunteering.org.uk. The site becomes live today.

Organisations who have volunteering opportunities can get information on how to register via the website or by contacting Volunteer Centre Leeds on 0113 395 0405.