AVOW has thanked all the volunteers who gave thousands of hours in 2021 to support others.

Volunteers have been at the heart of Wrexham communities for many years but 2021 has again seen many people going over and above to support others.

In Wrexham, AVOW has thousands of volunteers helping out across many types of organisations,ranging from helping people of all ages who have a variety of support needs, environmental projects, sports groups and those who support many front-line services through volunteering in St John Ambulance, Red Cross, Search and Rescue.

Communities and society may struggle without the thousands of hours the volunteers dedicate to them.

Approximately 20% of the population of the area volunteer from a few hours a week to devoting all of their time.

The past 12 months has seen an increasing number of volunteers being involved with the vaccine programme in a variety of roles.

In Wrexham there is a Volunteer Centre run by AVOW who are able to match potential volunteers with organisations that have a wide range of roles on offer. AVOW are also able to actively promote the opportunities on behalf of organisations.

John Gallanders, Chief Officer of AVOW said: "There are so many types of volunteering there is something for everyone, whether it is a few hours a month or many hours a week there is something for everyone."

Jenny Pugh, from Plas Madoc, who volunteers with an older people's organisation in Wrexham said: "Volunteering has enabled me to get out of the house more. Since retiring it has motivated me to go and meet people on a daily basis - I can commit to a variety of hours and the volunteer coordinator books in my availability."

Peter Evans, who is only 17, has taken on a variety of volunteering roles for him to gain experience that he can add to his CV when he is looking for employment. The teenager from Gresford has found that his future employers and universities all look at additional activities young people have been involved with.

Peter said: "I am looking to study environmental research in university and taking part in a variety of volunteering roles with an environmental group has given me an insight into the issues and a broader understanding of what I would like to study."

If anyone is interested in becoming part of the thousands of current volunteers you can contact the Volunteer Centre on volunteer.centre@avow.org or phone 01978 312556