THE value of volunteers and the contribution they make to our local community cannot be over-estimated.

Many charities and organisations would not be able to provide the services they do without the time and support given by volunteers.

With this in mind, it was a sad sign of the times to read that the wonderful work of the WVRS and its loyal team of volunteers is to be replaced, after 50 years of delivering Meals on Wheels to vulnerable and elderly people in the Andover area.

Without a doubt, their smiling faces will be missed by the often isolated people for whom they have provided a vital contact with the outside world and one hopes these volunteers will feel they are able to offer their help elsewhere in some way.

Here at the Volunteer Centre in Andover we are constantly aware of the considerable time and commitment given by volunteers.

At the Volunteer Centre we will, of course, be making contact with this group at WVRS to offer our help with finding alternative volunteer roles for those who may want to continue to do something when the Meals on Wheels service changes in March.

In the meantime, we would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to learn more about our service and the many volunteer roles waiting to be filled in the area.

Tessa Makepeace Volunteer Development Officer Test Valley Community Services Wessex Chambers Andover