IF you've always wanted to help a local organisation, but weren't sure where to start, the Bolton Volunteer Bureau can furnish ideas.

The Bureau, at Bridge House off Bark Street, acts as the go-between for groups needing volunteers and local people who want to find a way to contribute to their community.

They have dozens of vacancies, involving varying amounts of time, and take trouble to suit these to the individual.

Give them a ring on Bolton 380692 to find out more. In the meantime, here are a cross-section of current vacancies. BOLTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT: Needs volunteer drivers, over 23 years of age, and holders of a clean UK driving licence for at least two years. Duties are picking up and delivering items of furniture/goods for needy people. Hours to suit. Out-of-pocket expenses paid. Contact Phil Kershaw on Bolton 364777.

BOLTON CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: Home Visiting Service - needs volunteers to train as voluntary advisers; administrative volunteers also needed. Commitment is a minimum of seven hours per week advice work (two visits and one in-bureau advice session). Good communication skills needed. Volunteers especially needed with experience of disability issues. Contact Sofia or Ann on Bolton 392120.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S CENTRE: Needs volunteers aged 18 or over at the centre which caters for youngsters up to secondary school age. They will be concentrating on listening to their views and working with their needs in the community. Contact Denise Sullivan or Kath Heaton on Bolton 573155.

THICKETFORD COMMUNITY CARE: Wants enthusiastic volunteers interested in working with older people on general activities' duties. Support given. Contact Ruth Kneafsey on Bolton 525228.

RIGHT TO WRITE: Requires volunteers to help teach children in the Bolton area with special needs. Time involved is two hours each Tuesday evening, 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Contact Elaine Ferguson/Sheila Howfall on 01282-860222.

FARNWORTH SENIOR GATEWAY: Needs volunteers with a few hours to spare, interested in working with people with learning disabilities. The venue is Farnworth Community Centre in King Street, from 6.30pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday evenings, where they can meet, play pool, darts, table tennis, bingo, etc. Also occasional weekend trips. Contact the leader on Bolton 595724, or just turn up for a chat.

ASIAN ELDERS INITIATIVE: Urgently needs volunteer drivers, with the ability to speak Asian languages preferred. Contact Ish Patel on Bolton 651123.

BREIGHTMET OUTREACH SCHEME: Is in urgent need of volunteers for escorting and/or driving the minibus (training given). Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are the days involved, but any help is appreciated. Volunteers also needed for general help. Contact Shirley Doyle on Bolton 365965.

HALLIWELL COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION: Wants volunteers for driving/escorting on the minibus. Must be over 21 with full, clean driving licence. Hours are flexible and training is given. Volunteers with administrative skills also needed for general office work, answering the phone, etc. Contact Sue Brown on Booton 522550.

THE BULLY-FREE ZONE: Needs a volunteer to carry out administrative duties like photocopying, typing, filing. Training is available for word-processing (Wordperfect). Two hours a week; travel expenses paid. Contact Jo Bird on Bolton 430418.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.