EALING and Hounslow Community Voluntary Service (EHCVS) is a registered charity that has been supporting voluntary and community sector groups in Ealing for over 30 years.

EHCVS operates the volunteer centres in Ealing and Hounslow which support both potential volunteers to find roles as well as supporting Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) by providing guidance, training and forums.

EHCVS Volunteering Coordinator, Parule Basu-Barua told Nub News: "Teenagers are often encouraged to volunteer somewhere in order to strengthen their university applications, but many don't know where to begin.

"We help those who want to volunteer with finding the right project that would best suit their skill set and put them in touch with them."

EHCVS and its nine staff members have a huge network of local groups and help people in need get in touch with the group that can best help them.

Parule Basu-Barua said: "Through our vast network we aim to get information out there to help as many people as possible

"The more joined up the charity community is, the more efficient it is."

Through their vast network of 1,500 or so groups, EHCVS could be described as a middleman, connecting charities with corporate businesses that want to make a charitable contribution.

Basu-Barua said: "We try to encourage big corporate companies to give back to their community, be it through monetary donations, or helping out with a project.

"We match them with whatever project we think suits them best.

"For example, a corporate business that works in the energy sector could work well with a charitable organisation that protects the environment."

Although EHCVS is funded via grants and contracts from Ealing and Hounslow councils, they are also open to monetary donations from individuals or businesses.

Basu-Barua added: "All donations are welcome and those who donate can choose what cause their money goes towards, such as to help those in poverty or those in need of food.

"It's amazing how many people give their money and time to help others, we're lucky that so many people want to help their neighbours."