A new volunteer bureau has been launched in Harwich aimed at helping the vulnerable and housebound.

The Harwich branch of the Volunteer Bureau for Tendring will use helpers to provide services to the elderly and place volunteers with various organisations in the town.

The office, based in the Tendring Adult Community College in Main Road, Dovercourt, was launched on Tuesday.

Julie Menzies, branches organiser, said: "By having an office here, we feel that there's something very personal to Harwich.

"We are looking after Harwich specifically, we can talk to our volunteers and we can communicate with our clients ensuring that we give them the service that they require."

The new office came about thanks to a £186,000 grant from the Community Fund. A similar office in Walton opened last month.

Before the launch, there were no volunteers in the Harwich area, but Mrs Menzies gave out seven volunteer application forms on Tuesday. Two housebound residents also called in who were interested in receiving help, she added.

The group acts as a recruitment agency which matches volunteers to organisations, such as charity shops, hospices, hospitals and luncheon clubs.

For more information, call 01255 427888

Published Thursday, June 12, 2003

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