A SERVICE linking people to volunteer roles jumped at the chance to attend a job fair.

The Unity Volunteer Centre participated in a job fair hosted at Andover Jobcentre Plus to promote their opportunities and services.

Christianne Ireland, volunteer co-ordinator, along with two volunteers, Karen Platt and Sam Wass, met more than 300 people, speaking about the benefits of volunteering.

This includes the roles being a stepping stone to employment, but also helping the charities and groups who rely on volunteers.

The day resulted in 22 people arranging discussions with the team to identify suitable volunteer placements with interest being shown in administration, gardening, care work and IT. A further 60 people requested further information.

Christianne said: ‘Thanks must go to our Unity volunteers who were extremely proactive in engaging people in conversation making sure they had the relevant information.

“Most of the people we spoke to did know that volunteering was a way back into employment and a number had already volunteered before, but interest was extremely high.”