OLDER people are invited to go along to an information afternoon at the Royal Voluntary Service Hungate Centre in Pickering from 1-3pm on Friday.

The charity runs a range of volunteer-led activities at the centre including a lunch club, Musical Memories and Bridge, and is hoping to attract new members.

The afternoon is an opportunity for older people - and their families or carers - to find out what is on offer and to chat with current members over a free drink.

The Royal Voluntary Service charity is also looking for local volunteer co-ordinators and leaders to set up and run new community activities for older people living locally.

Whether it’s a lunch club, tai chi class, book group or providing companionship to older people in their homes, Royal Voluntary Service is looking for local people to put their talents and life experience to valuable use to help grow a network of community groups across Great Britain that improve older people’s lives.

No previous experience is necessary as full training is provided.

Samantha Slinger-Beevers, the Royal Voluntary Service’s community engagement and development worker for North Yorkshire, said: “Our volunteers are community heroes that make a genuine difference to the lives of older people.

"Working with us to set up a programme of new volunteer-led social activities is an exciting challenge for anyone with time to give and ideas, energy and enthusiasm to offer.

"We look forward to welcoming and supporting a host of new volunteer co-ordinators and leaders to scale up our support for older people, thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

"For anyone with a little spare time that is looking for a way to contribute to the local community, for example people that are recently retired, volunteering is hugely rewarding.”

To find out more about the Hungate Centre information afternoon or about becoming a volunteer co-ordinator, leader or volunteer, contact Samantha Slinger-Beevers on aamantha.slinger-beevers@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk, call 0300 012 0261 or visit royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.