MORE than 30 charities and other organisations took part in a volunteers fair in Henley.

Henley Youth Centre, Henley Lions Club and Henley Wildlife Group were among those with information stalls in Market Place.

Mayor Elizabeth Hodgkin, who was part of the Gardening Buddies stall, said: “It’s great for these voluntary organisations to get together and for people to find out all the opportunities on offer.There are many more groups out there. There’s something for everyone.”

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was hoping to recruit retained firefighters and gave out information to about 30 interested people.

Watch manager Matt Chapman said: “We’re doing a good job in reducing the number of fire calls but we still need people to go out on those calls that do come in. There are flexible shift patterns so we can work around their life patterns.

“It’s a fantastic job. At the end of the day it’s about trying to improve the local community and it is an essential service.” Members of the Thames Valley Chorus, which holds rehearsals at Piggott School in Wargrave on Tuesday evenings, walked round the market place singing barber shop songs.

Spokesman Clive Pugh said: “We get men of all ages and different walks of life joining us. One of our members, Peter Leverett, didn’t sing at all until he joined four years ago. It’s good fun and a nice group of people.”

The second annual fair was organised by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action in partnership with Henley Town Council.

Volunteer centre manager Lindsay Watts said: “For people who are unemployed, volunteering gives thems kills and experience, especially younger people who find it difficult to get a job. For those looking to return to the job market, such as mothers, it can provide them with the confidence to get back into the workplace. Even if you are employed, it can be just an hour a week.”

Published 21/10/12