VOLUNTEERING is more than helping other people - it can be a way of helping yourself, says retired volunteer member Derrick Mann.

Derrick, aged 75, from Pershore, has been volunteering from the age of 20 when he helped out as an assistant Scout leader back in the 1950s.

He managed to fit in many hours of volunteering alongside his hobby as an archer and even in this field, he was West Midlands regional coach and co-founder of the Evesham archery group.

Married with two grown up children he joined the Pershore volunteer centre when he retired in l990 helping drive the minibus, carrying out maintenance work on the bus, working for the befriending service and as the chair-man of the management committee.

"I have always felt it important to do things in the community," he said.

"There is always somewhere you can lend a helping hand and in a simple sort of way that's what I have done.

"It's a two-way thing - you get a lot out of helping people so there is tremendous self-satisfaction."

One of the areas where Derrick has felt volunteering has been so worthwhile is in the befriending service. "People need people whatever their situation but sometimes there is a case where a person may have lost someone, or they have an illness or a disability that prevents them from being able to socialise and they need a listening ear," he said.

And although he's now retired, Derrick still does his bit for the centre, helping the children read at Abbey Park Middle school.

"There is never a time to stop helping others," he said.