HAHAV are in urgent need of volunteers to work with its Companionship and Help service and in its charity shops.

James Dunbar, the interim COO of HAHAV told the Cambrian News: “We are now getting overwhelmed with referrals for our One-to-One Companionship and Help service.”

The service pairs a client with a volunteer to receive two to three hours’ time per week.

And Mr Dunbar said the urgent need for volunteers is being driven by critical shortages in the social care sector.

“I believe people are turning to us out of desperation due to the current pressures being experienced by the NHS and the shortage of carers," he said.

"As you know, this situation is delaying hospital discharges. Also, typically, care that is provided at home is limited to short visits providing personal care. So, you can see why our service is quite attractive to carers who need a break in order to get some of their own lives back.”

While HAHAV have recruited a large number of new volunteers in the last couple of months, demand is now exceeding its capacity.

Mr Dunbar said: “We urgently need more volunteers from across the whole county of Ceredigion to meet the demand for our 1:1 Companionship and Help service. We provide training and pay travel and other expenses for our volunteers."

Contact the charity via their website at hahav.org.uk, which also has a facility to accept donations, or contact them by phone at 01970 611550.