LOUGHTON: Volunteers make a difference (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LOUGHTON: Volunteers make a difference

3:37pm Wednesday 29th October 2008 in Local video news By Emily Roberts

IT is meant to boost your confidence, improve your CV and act as a way of meeting new people.

So why are not more people using their free time to volunteer?

An organisation in the Epping Forest district is hoping to change this and increase the number of people volunteering in the district.

They organised a special event to coincide with the national Make a Difference Day, with the aim of encouraging more people to get involved.

Voluntary Action Epping Forest manager Sally Panrucker said: "If people have enjoyed the day then they might come along and see what else they can do on a regular basis and also with the end result to do something worthwhile for and within the community. Today has been brilliant, we've had a mixture of people, some for who it was their first time volunteering, so if they have a fun day then it might encourage them to do further volunteering."

The aim of the day was to plant a sensory garden at Oak View Special School, in Loughton.

Volunteers started from scratch, digging up the grass before planting three beds.

Teacher Graham Sandberg said the help will benefit pupils.

He added: "It means a lot to us. We're hoping the students will appreciate the touch and feel and all their senses will be stimulated by being able to come out and explore the plants."

Amy West, 18, from Chingford, was volunteering for the first time.

She said: "I think it's really good and I'll definitely be doing it again. You don't know until you try something so you might as well try it to see if you like it and if you don't you don't have to do it again. I wouldn't normally do anything on a Saturday and instead I've met new people, made friends and had a really good experience."

Caroline Chapman works for V-Involved, a volunteering scheme set up in May for 16 to 25-year-olds.

She said: "There are so many things you can get from volunteering. You get new skills, make new friends, some people can get paid employment in the end. The skills you can learn is amazing. What we're doing here today with the gardening they're gaining skills in communication, team work and learning how to dig over a garden plot."

On the day, Ricky Conrad, 20, was presented with a Jack Petchey Foundation award for his efforts in volunteering.

He said: "I really enjoy volunteering. I do a lot of it. I was a bit surprised when I got it but it's fantastic."

• If you want to get involved with volunteering visit the Voluntary Action Epping Forest website at http://www.vaef.org.uk/ call 01992 564256 or email vbadmin@vaef.org.uk.