A centre which matches volunteers to unpaid jobs has had a booming first year. ANDREW HIRST looks at the work of its volunteers - including one aged 84.
JIM Parr says it feels good to keep on working - at 84!
Age is no barrier for the Birkby pensioner who wanted to "give something back to society".
The former army tank driver who served in France in 1944 has taken on work as a garden volunteer at a time of life when many his age are entitled to expect support from helpers.
Jim, who used to be in the building trade, is one of many people who have called into Volunteering Kirklees since it opened its doors on Lord Street in Huddersfield town centre 12 months ago.
Jim
said: "I was at a loose end and wanted to give something back to society, so I thought I'd give it a go.
"Doing a good day's work helps me to get an equally good night's sleep."
Jim is a gardening volunteer at Greenfields Family Centre in Dalton.
The centre, on Dalton Green Lane, is home to several children's and youth groups, along with holiday playschemes and community education programmes.
Greenfields manager Lesley Stephenson said: "Jim is an absolute godsend, a wonderful person.
"He's friendly and obliging. He just comes along and gets on with things."
Volunteering Kirklees co-ordinator Gill Leverton said: "The Lord Street centre has made volunteering far more visible, open and accessible than ever before. People are often just curious and pop in off the street.
"They are amazed by the number and range of opportunities on offer, anything from being a puppy walker to a victim support volunteer."
There are big benefits to volunteering.
Some people volunteer to get work experience or to boost their CVs. Some do it as a step back to full-time work.
Contact Volunteering Kirklees by phoning 01484 226608.
