A GOVERNMENT Minister charged with turning the “Big Society” into reality has said there is scope for more volunteer organisations to spring up across the county.

Civil Society Minister Nick Hurd praised Oxford Foodbank and the student-run Oxford Hub on his visit to the city on Monday.

On a visit to the food bank’s headquarters in Lamarsh Lane, he said: “We can unlock many more volunteering opportunities for people.

“There is so much more space for people to step up, give time and get involved.”

The food bank was founded by Robin Aitken and Dave Cairns in 2009. It now delivers £350,000 worth of food each year.

All the food is donated, so that every £1 given to the project covers driving costs. Volunteers now deliver £25 worth of food to those in need.

It is staffed entirely by volunteers, many of them students, and collects food from Fresh Direct, Sainsbury’s and Bookers just before it is thrown out, then delivers it to more than 30 charities working in the city.

The food, which would otherwise be binned, ends up feeding homeless people, deprived children, asylum seekers, and those working with drug rehabilitation charities.

Mr Hurd’s visit comes with Oxfordshire County Council using the Big Society philosophy to champion community groups taking over running youth centres and volunteering in libraries to overcome funding cuts, though critics say volunteers should not be relied on to replace professionals.

Doireann Lalor, of the Oxford Hub, said cuts had led more charities to ask them to provide student volunteers for projects.

She said: “Certainly funding is drying up as the recession continues, and that is having an effect on projects we work with.

“We are continuously being approached, and while we want to help, it is not necessarily our role to fill all the gaps.”

Mr Hurd, the son of former Witney MP Douglas Hurd, said there was a “definite challenge” in inspiring volunteering in the country’s less affluent parts.

Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill are wards which can apply for Community First cash from the Cabinet Office, and Mr Hurd is also championing the training of Community Organisers to create new volunteer groups.

He said: “It is all about putting resources into these areas to encourage people to come together and give them confidence.”