THE economic crisis, unemployment, rising living costs and VAT increases mean life is a struggle for most at the moment.

But while in volunteering terms, much of the country seems to be reverting to the belief that charity begins at home, the people of Oxfordshire have become more willing to help others.

The Citizens’ Survey, published by the Communities and Local Government Department this week, reported 38 per cent of UK respondents (10,000 adults) had volunteered formally in the past 12 months – down six per cent on 2005.

But according to Volunteer Centre West Oxfordshire, Cherwell CVS (Community Service Volunteers) and Volunteer Centre Oxfordshire, it is a very different picture here.

A total of 602 Oxfordshire people registered an interest in volunteering during 2007/8. But between April and December 2010, this figure shot up to nearly 1,700.

Overall, 2,270 volunteers are now registered with Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA), the umbrella body for the county’s voluntary and community sector, but that figure could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Lindsay Watts, manager of Volunteer Centre Oxfordshire, explained: “The true picture will be even higher, as many people find out about opportunities in other ways or don’t see what they do as volunteering, but rather as a social thing.”

But while volunteer numbers are increasing, the need is always there.

Ms Watts added: “Some organisations are struggling to find volunteers – many need people to help throughout the year, often for just a few hours a week.

“There are currently around 1,200 short and long term opportunities across Oxfordshire. Examples include working with ex-offenders to develop their literacy skills, and as an events helper for a local charity which supports children with disabilities.

“There are great opportunities available such as becoming a charity trustee to develop management skills or to use practical skills such as gardening.

“But whatever your skills or circumstances, we want to hear from anyone who can help.”

For more information, see do-it.org.uk, or call OCVA on 01865 251946.

Bill Hall, 58, found his way into volunteering through tragedy.

Mr Hall said: “Some 25 years ago, if you had said that I would be volunteering now, I would never have believed you.

“I was a police officer in Yorkshire and was working at a Bradford City football match, when fire broke out in the stand.

“I watched as 56 people burned to death.”

The Bradford City Fire Disaster occurred on Saturday, May 11, 1985, when a flash fire consumed one side of the Valley Parade football stadium.

Mr Hall added: “When I retired from the police force I retrained as an electrician but during a job down in Somerset, years later, I had a breakdown.

“It turned out that all that had happened that day at the match had stayed with me.”

After treatment for post traumatic stress and a period of recuperation, Mr Hall said he looked for something he could do to “get involved” in life again.

He said: “I came across the ‘Do It’ website, which is basically a one-stop shop of volunteering.

“There I saw an ad to help out with the maintenance at the Henley Sensory Room and now I go in for a few hours a week, sort out anything that needs mending or replacing, I refill the bubble pipes and just make sure it is all working well.”

Mr Hall, who lives on a narrow boat near Henley with his wife Alyson, and has two grown up daughters, added: “The Sensory Room is used by children with disabilities and others with autism.

“They can relax, and have wonderful sensations of light, sound, smell and touch.

“Knowing I am involved in helping that happen is very rewarding.

“I have also been co-opted on to the committee, which I didn’t really see coming, But I am very happy about.

“There are so many opportunities to volunteer out there – just go on the website and look.”