A Stowmarket-based charity is celebrating its volunteers for their ongoing support ahead of a national week of recognition.

Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk is aiming to highlight the work of its team in celebration of Volunteers Week – which will run from June 1 to June 7.

Last year, 50 volunteers at Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk donated over 21,000 hours of their time to provide the charity’s service to the community.

The volunteers worked together to help over 3,400 local people with 9,352 problems – including struggles with debt, housing, benefit applications and employment, as well as a number of other issues.

Citizens Advice is an locally funded independent charity, which forms part of a national network offering a range of voluntary roles – from fundraisers and advisors, to administrators and trustees.

Sue Rowson, an advisor at the charity, started volunteering at Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk after taking early retirement – and has now volunteered for more than 15 years.

She said: “Volunteering at Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk keeps me up to date and I feel involved and useful.

“No two days are ever the same, but what doesn’t change is the good humour and positivity of my colleagues here.”

Carol Eagles, manager at Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk said: “Our volunteers make a huge difference to people’s lives.

“They give up their free time to help people in their community, who may be going through problems, to get back on their feet.

“Volunteering is for everybody and it brings its own rewards. It’s a great way to meet people and learn skills.

“If you’d like to help people in your area and can spare a few hours a week, we’d love to hear from you.”

Nationally, 23,000 Citizens Advice volunteers help provide support in 2,900 locations across England and Wales - helping 2.7 million people every year.

Thanks to the contribution volunteers play in local Citizens Advice centres, two out of every three clients have their problems solved – and four out of five say the advice they received improved their lives.

Those who are interested in finding out more about volunteering with the charity can contact Kimberly Roberts on 01449 676060.