I'm Christine and I have, for the last two years, worked with visually impaired children doing sports on a Saturday morning. Afterwards, in the swimming pool, I take a group of beginners and teach them how to swim, using my hands and stuff to help them understand and so they can feel how they're supposed to swim.

I've made quite a lot of friends from the other volunteers there, and it's really interesting to see how it works; how people who are visually impaired can do all the sports that anybody else can do.

I think it helps with the communication; when you have to communicate in a different way to the way you normally communicate with people.

Gerry:

There's loads of groups about, within every town, that people don't realise are there. Make an enquiry, take a look and go and see what you can do!

Judith:

The main thing with volunteering is doing something that you enjoy; that's the whole point of volunteering. The fact that it's a good cause is great; it's a real bonus and I've always been an admirer of Oxfam, it's about coming here and doing something different, not just sitting at home or looking round the shops.

Katie:

I think it's taken me to be 30 years old to realise what I want to do. I started, with volunteering a few years ago. It eventually led me to getting a job as a Lunchtime Supervisor at Rawthorpe High School and, hopefully, at the end of it, a career in youth or community work.

Tracey:

A lot of people in society believe that you 'don't do anything for nothing'. I'm 'old school', I think there's nothing wrong with giving a bit of your time back. It's not just giving it for nothing because you get so much back in return; the friendships, the relationships, the skills you actually learn yourself.