THERE are many groups in Gwent who rely on volunteers, ranging from dog shelters to hospitals and from sports’ services to litter picking.

Alex Anderson, from Caerleon, is an example of a young volunteer who does several things in the community.

The 17-year-old is part of the air cadets in Caerleon, volunteers for the Duke of Edinburgh awards and is also involved with Caerleon Village Services - a local social enterprise dedicated to combating marginalization across all ages in Caerleon..

He said: “With Village Services, I help the elderly in the community who can’t get out much, by cooking meals and helping them out with their gardens, for example.

“I like listening to older people’s stories. I think it is amazing to speak with them and learn about their lives.”

Alex said that, in terms of the Duke of Edinburgh awards, he helps with planning and organising things.

“I have only started doing this this year but I really like the group I am with, we get on well,” he said. “I enjoy being able to go out with them and going out to different places, that is very rewarding for me.”

Alex, who would like to be a police officer, said that, through the awards, he learns different skills and that, for instance, he is now learning how to use a canoe safely.

He said they are currently busy planning expeditions for this summer and that one of them is going to be in Scotland.

“With the air cadets, I do a lot of charity work. We also try to get more people to join us,” he said. “I enjoy helping with teaching and show some of the younger cadets how to wear the uniforms and show themselves, for example.

“It is about teaching them the skills they may need if they decide to join the RAF.

“I can’t join the RAF because I have Asperger syndrome, but I do not let that stop me.

“I really enjoy being in the air cadets because I make new friends and meet new people. There are so many things you can do with the air cadets. I have done aerobatics, for example, and I am going to be going to the Netherlands in July to walk 100 miles in four days.

“I find volunteering is very fulfilling. I am a very proactive person, I like trying new things and being out of the house.”

An example of a group in Newport who relies on volunteers is Newport Live, who work with more than 100 volunteers of all ages.

Their volunteers take part in a wide range of programmes, including at the Newport International Sports Village with swimming and aquatics volunteers and tennis volunteers, for example.

They also run Sport Wales initiatives which develop and create young ambassadors in schools.

These programmes can lead to qualifications, allowing volunteers to become sports coaches and find a job.

Karl Reed, head of sport and physical activity development at Newport Live, said Newport Live also supports sports clubs and community activity groups across Newport with small grants.

Mr Reed said: “Tommy Vaughan, 25, came through the job centre as a work placement this year.

“He completed eight weeks volunteering on our poolside at the Sports Village, doing over 200 hours of volunteering.

“He has now completed his swim instructor’s level 1 course and a safeguarding course.

“Tommy will soon complete his national pool lifeguard qualification and will hopefully become a paid employee of Newport Live in the near future.”

Mr Reed said they also have volunteers who are retired, having worked for a number of years in places such as Llanwern Steelworks.

He said they become sports volunteers to put something back into the community and support young people.

He added: “Some have now progressed to part time paid employment with Newport Live as sports coaches and mentors and have completed a wide range of training courses such as gym instructing, sports leadership and dealing with challenging behaviour.”

He also gave the example of Spencer Williams, 14, a pupil at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School and a Newport Live volunteer.

“He has completed his Sports Leaders Level 1 award for his volunteering,” he said. “He has developed his confidence and leadership skills.”

Volunteers also make a difference at Gwent hospital, with The Robins Volunteer Service offering a friendly helping hand to patients.

The charity, which was set up in 2008 by Age Cymru Gwent with backing from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, covers nine wards in St Woolos hospital and the Royal Gwent hospital.

Christine Tucker, volunteer manager at Robins Volunteer Service, said: “We will be expanding soon to the Nevill Hall hospital, we are just waiting for some funding from the health board.

“Lots of older patients do not have any visits so our volunteers go into the wards and they spend time with them.

“We do activities with them, such as reading. We also make sure they get the food they want and we also feed patients who are not able to eat by themselves, for example.

“We do things that the nursing staff do not have time to do.”

Mrs Tucker said the Robins are all volunteers, and that they spend at least four hours one day a week in the wards.

She said: “We support anybody that goes into the AE department or to the medical assessment ward. In the other wards, we are mainly with the older patients.

“We have been running this service since 2008 and, at the moment, we have about 58 volunteers.

“We can always do with more, it is a continuous recruitment process.

“Our volunteers range from the age of 17 to 93. Some are college students and others are nurses who have retired.

“I am very proud of the work they do, they do a wonderful job.”

If you are interested in joining the team and to find out more information, you can contact Ms Tucker on 01633 234 129 or email robins@agecymru.org

The Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO) has four Volunteer Centres in Gwent and they provide support, advice and guidance to individuals and organisations.

To find out more, email volunteering@gavowales.org.uk

GAVO will be launching its Volunteer Achievement Awards on June 1.

Volunteering Officer Amele Tukandra said: “Don’t miss out, this is your opportunity to say thank you to the unsung heroes who give their time freely to benefit peoples lives and the communities they live in.”

To nominate please go to gavowales.org.uk/recognition

For any further information please contact Amele Tukandra at amele.tukandra@gavowales.org.uk