One in eight people surveyed in Wales will give their time to help others for free over the festive period, according to the Royal Voluntary Service.

According to new research by RVS, the national volunteering charity, more than one in 10 adults surveyed in Wales have already committed to volunteering over the festive period and a further 14 per cent intend to make plans to in the run up.

Popular causes include supporting older people, helping children and young people, helping the homeless, supporting those with mental health problems and supporting the NHS.

Rebecca Kennelly, director of volunteering for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “Christmas is the season of goodwill and it’s both wonderful and extremely humbling to see that so many people in Wales are preparing to give their time to help others this Christmas, which for some, can be a difficult time.

“Research suggests time and time again that volunteering is good for individual wellbeing, for the people being supported and for society as a whole. We encourage anyone that can to consider volunteering for a few hours or days a month in 2020.

“By setting up a community breakfast club or running a gentle exercise class on a hospital ward, delivering library books or driving an older person to a GP appointment, our volunteers make an enormous difference to people’s lives.”

To find social activities in your local area or to donate to support our work, visit www.royalvoluntary service.org.uk