MENTION the words voluntary work and what springs to mind? People often think of the volunteers who serve in charity shops, shake a collecting tin in the street, give out soup to homeless people, or shop for someone who is elderly or housebound.

But volunteering can be done in a surprising variety of settings. As well as charities and other good causes, it is possible to volunteer in some of the essential public services such as schools, hospitals, courts and the police. Volunteers do not replace paid staff, but they make an extra contribution, often adding a more informal and personal touch.

School and hospitals

In school, for example, classroom volunteers can be invaluable, because they have time to give children individual attention, listening to them read and so on.

Age Concern in Enfield has a scheme called Transage Action. People over 50 (like Joan Rose, pictured) volunteer in pre-school groups, primary schools and in other settings with children from families who need some extra support.

You could support childrens education by becoming a school governor. You dont need to have a child at the school or to have any professional knowledge. All you need is time, enthusiasm and common sense, and you will be helped with training and support by the school and the local education authority.

Many elderly hospital patients who dont get visitors would welcome a chat and a friendly face at the bedside. Chase Farm Hospital needs volunteers to help on the wards and befriend elderly patients. You could serve teas and coffees in the snack bar to patients and visitors, which helps raise funds for those added extras. Or perhaps working for the hospital radio station as a studio assistant, request collector or presenter is more your style.

Young people

Enfield police also use volunteers. The Youth and Community Section wants people to volunteer at police-led youth diversion projects which are run during school holidays at various venues around the borough. Children who have difficult home lives can benefit from some organised activity or sport, with adults who have patience and are good listeners. Volunteers are needed on projects from February 18 to 22 and and March 25 to 28 next year. You dont have to be good at sport!

Tackling crime

You could help tackle youth crime by volunteering as a Community Panel member with the Enfield Youth Offending Team. Local people who join the panel will take the lead in challenging young offenders to take responsibility for their actions and help them to change their behaviour for good. Panel members will talk and listen to young offenders, their parents and their victims, and agree a plan of action designed to put right the harm the young offender has done and put him back on the straight and narrow. The panels deal with young offenders aged ten to 17 who plead guilty and who have not offended before. Volunteers are given full training (seven days over seven weeks) during which they will learn skills which will be useful in everyday life and work as well as for the panel.

Volunteers even help out in Crown Courts. In a scheme run by Victim Support, they support witnesses who are there to give evidence, show them round the court and help them to fill out forms, claim expenses and so on.