CITIZENS Advice Wokingham are keen for residents to be apart of their next 80 years of history as Volunteers Week approaches.

The advice service started almost 80 years ago on September 4 in 1939, the day after the beginning of World War II.

As part of Volunteers Week, which runs from June 1 to June 7 the charity are thanking current volunteers for their contribution and welcoming new recruits to help bring the charity into its next 80 years.

In Wokingham there are currently 64 volunteers who contribute over 100 hours each week and last year they helped 2,200 people with 6,000 problems.

Margaret Newstead, reception volunteer at Citizens Advice Wokingham, said: “It’s wonderful volunteering at Citizens Advice Wokingham. You feel like you’re giving back to people, with what they’ve helped you with over the years.

“I just feel that face-to-face talking with people works wonders. I think face to face is a lot better. With reception work, you see somebody come through that door, and it’s surprising; they came to see advisers, but you can bet your life I got their life story sitting at that reception desk.”

The charity believes there are many benefits to volunteering including increasing skills and confidence while meeting new people and making a positive difference to people’s lives.

Jake Morrison, chief executive at Citizens Advice Wokingham, said: “Our volunteers deliver a number of functions at our charity, and we simply could not do it without them.

“From bookkeeping to advice giving, from marketing to helping on reception they all contribute to helping our clients get a great service, and for that, I say a big thank you.”

Mr Morrison believes that it is important to support people through their problems.

He added: “We are often promoting our volunteering opportunities, and this is as good a time as any, to help us to continue delivering such an important service, in the heart of our communities, by providing people with advice and information to take control of their problems.

“We are here to empower people and support them through their problems, and our volunteers play a key role in that.”

For more information about the charity, visit: www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/volunteering.