Volunteers in Wrexham and Flintshire celebrated for their selfless work

Hundreds of selfless people across Flintshire and Wrexham dedicate their time and efforts to helping those less fortunate, and organisations across the nation are saying thank you.

Citizens Advice Flintshire is just one organisation on the lookout for more people to join their team.

In April 2014, Universal Credit (UC) arrived in the county and in 2017/18 CAF saw 721 unique clients seeking help with UC. From January-March, they had seen more than 900 clients seeking help with issues such as debt and housing.

Dementia Cafe at Libby's Cafe

Lynne Marks is currently undertaking her advisors training and she said as she wasn't enjoying retirement, decided to do what she could to help.

She said: "You've still got stuff to offer after you finish work. Everyone is willing to help and that's important to the atmosphere.

"Volunteering is important because there's people out there less fortunate than us and it's about putting something back. Sometimes I think people just want someone to talk to and we can help them."

CAF decided to thank their volunteers this week and held an afternoon tea to congratulate them on their work.

Jim Mason, Gail Atkin, Ann Nixon, Dylan Evans, Jan Sladen and Joan Jarvis

David Owens is also aiming to volunteer for CAF, and he said: "I started volunteering in a charity shop but found I was missing the interaction of the public and wanted to do something intellectually challenging and this certainly matches that.

"We are putting something back. When you're working you know you have to be there and it's that different mindset, volunteering you don't have to turn up, but we do.

"You can spend two hours with someone and during that time see the weight lifting off their shoulders."

Lynn Murphy, Sam Huxley, Mark Hughes, Paul Cash and Rosie Weir, members of the Mostyn Clock Tower who attend and help out at Libby's Cafe

Volunteers' Week was established in 1984 by Volunteering England and gives volunteers a chance to be thanked for the work they do, which quite often goes unnoticed. The week runs from June 1-7.

During the seven days, hundreds of events and celebrations take place to recognise their invaluable and diverse contribution to the UK.

Nightingale House Hospice is just one organisation which is handing out certificates of thanks to its helpers.

Their store in Mold is also giving out free doughnuts to anyone dropping off unwanted items for reselling.

Sharon Newell, manager of the Mold store, said: "For us, we are now able to offer services at local hospitals like Mold.

David Owens and Lynne Marks

"Without volunteers we couldn't raise the £9,000 a day that is needed to run the hospice alone. There would be no hospice without the volunteers.

"We cover such a massive area and we have a staggering amount of volunteers, it's a community efforts.

"I would say if you haven't tried it, give it a go, the benefits are worth it. You get so much out of it, it's very rewarding.

"We have people who have been out of work for a while for whatever reason and it builds their confidence back up and helps against loneliness. It also has a positive effect on the community."

A café in Connah's Quay relies heavily on volunteers and this week, staff cannot show their appreciation enough.

Rose Boswell, of Libby's Café, said: "The café couldn't run without our volunteers, they are the backbone of Libby's Café.

"I can't say anything but marvellous things about then, they are all wonderful and never let me down, they work really hard.

"It brings continuity, a lot of our customers are regular, and they are coming as one to combat social isolation.

"To see the same people and staff that know them, it makes a big difference, they are building friendships and confidence."

The café, which has been open for more than 10 years, is home to many community groups, including arts and crafts, knitting, social links drop-ins and sugar craft workshops etc.

They also hold a memory cafe at the building on the first Tuesday of every month.

Appreciation has also been showed to the RSPCA volunteers, who not only dedicate their time to the animals, but also animal owners. The charity often gets a lot of negativity over what they cannot do, but no-one ever really focuses on the hard-work the volunteers do in the community.

The mobile clinic visits Queensferry regularly and allows those less fortunate to speak to a vet and have their beloved pet seen to.

Dawn Gregory and Helen Coppack at the CAF afternoon tea

Gail Atkin has been volunteering for the Wrexham and Deeside branch for more than two decades and she said she would not like to volunteer anywhere else.

She said: "It's rewarding to volunteer for somewhere like RSPCA, it can be challenging and upsetting, and you've got to really love animals and be in it for them, not yourself.

"It's a social outlet as well as animals, you've got to be good with people as well as animals.

"We speak for the animals there, they can't speak for themselves and can't fundraise for themselves."

Joan Jarvis, who also volunteers for the branch, added: "It gives something back to the community, especially in times of austerity."

Many people are quick to overlook or dismiss the work of volunteers, but without them, hundreds of services would not be able to run. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes needs to be recognised more.

More information about volunteering and how to get into it can be found on the Flintshire Local Voluntary Council website - www.flvc.org.uk - or by contacting local organisations directly.