A CHARITY has come up with a new twist on speed dating to help people find volunteering opportunities that best suit them.

A volunteer speed matching day will be held at Spennymoor Town Hall next month by the Volunteer Centre for Sedgefield Borough.

Organiser Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield aims to find suitable projects and charities for people who to volunteering. The process takes three minutes.

Anyone interested in giving up their spare time, but who is unsure of where to offer help, is invited to the event on Tuesday, June 19.

Participants can book a space on one of three sessions, at 11am, 2pm or 4pm.

They will spend three minutes each with members of 20 local organisations - all will give potential helpers details of their work.

Groups which support children, the elderly; people with physical, mental and learning disabilities; the homeless; victims of crime; work in hospitals and those which run advice services or conservation projects will take part.

The event will also be an opportunity to match skills with volunteer vacancies.

People with managerial, marketing or financial experience, to take on roles such as charity trustees or school governors, are much needed.

Organisers said there is no pressure for anyone to make commitments to groups on the day.

For information, contact Sharon Vasey or Vicky Walker at the Volunteer Centre, 15-17 Festival Walk, Spennymoor, on 01388-811115.