RESIDENTS across Basingstoke and Deane are being encouraged to find out more about volunteering in their community during “Do Your Bit Week”.

Local groups will be on hand with information on volunteering opportunities at a week-long series of events happening across the borough, between May 30 and June 7, where residents will be able to offer their time, services and expertise to organisations in need of support.

Events are taking place at the following locations:

• Between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday, May 30 at South Ham Fun Day, Aldworth School

• Between 4pm and 7pm on Monday, June 1 at Church of Christ the King, Brighton Hill

• Between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday, June 4 at Popley Fields Community Centre, Popley

• Between 10.30am and 2pm on Saturday, June 6 at Brookvale Village Hall, Brookvale

• Between 12noon and 3.30pm on Sunday, June 7 at Picnic in the Park, Stratton Park.

The council’s Cabinet member for communities, service delivery and improvement, Councillor Robert Tate, said: “Volunteering can offer residents the opportunity to get involved in their local community, meet new people, and gain new skills.

“Very often people don’t know what opportunities there are locally or even that their skills are needed.

"I would urge them to find out what groups need volunteers and how they can get involved in whatever time they have available.”

For more information contact the venue or the council’s Community Development Team by calling 01256 844844, by emailing community.development@basingstoke.gov.uk or visit basingstoke.gov.uk/doyourbit.