Charity sees boost in volunteer numbers

16:00 9th June 2009

A national charity has seen the biggest increase in the number of volunteers joining up for several years.

More than 5,000 people signed up to help support the National Trust in the past year, reports Charity Finance.

This increases the number of volunteers up ten per cent to 55,000.

Mark Crosby, head of volunteering at the National Trust, said: "The increase could also be due in part to the recession with more people turning to unpaid work to enhance their CV or to obtain new skills for a career change."

Another way to enhance a CV or prepare for a career change could be to undertake IT training and enter the world of IT recruitment.

This year 139 volunteers will be given a 25-years-of-service award from the National Trust.

As part of its work, the charity and its supporters protect and open up to the public more than 300 historical homes. It also looks after farmland, castles, nature reserves, forests and beaches for the public to enjoy.