WILTSHIRE Police are looking to make new volunteer recruits in Swindon at a forthcoming event.

The constabulary is hoping to attract Special Constables, as well as police support volunteers and police admin staff during a coffee morning at the Broadgreen Community Centre this Saturday.

In the current economic climate where career and job opportunities are limited, many people are looking to volunteering as a way to gain new skills, get a head-start in an highly competitive job market and make valuable use of their time.

Now police are looking to speak to those who might be interested in signing them up to the scheme.

Tyron Woodford, a police support volunteer who works with a neighbourhood police team in East Swindon, applied to be a volunteer in 2008 and hasn’t looked back.

“My volunteering gives me a feeling of contribution to making the area a safer place to live,” he said.

“I would recommend volunteering to anyone who would like to do the same and in so doing gain new skills and understanding.”

Special Constables experience the same challenges faced by police officers and by being equipped with new skills to become more attractive to employers.

Wiltshire Police positively encourages applications from all communities to reflect the community it serves.

Tanya Lines, an equality and diversity officer, said: “Our volunteering opportunities are particularly useful for those currently aiming to boost their CVs or skills set towards their career goal and also for those who are simply interested in giving something back to their community and helping to keep Wiltshire safe.

“The recruitment team welcome attendance from everyone and encourage those who require one to one support or advice to arrive early.”

Vasanti Thakrar, a Special Constable of three years, said: “As a Special Constable I get the opportunity to get involved in a range of work that has helped me to develop my skills and provide me with an opportunity to make a difference to the community.”

Wiltshire Police’s jobs and volunteering coffee morning will go ahead in the lounge of the Salisbury Street site from 10am to noon.

For more information about the event and latest opportunities under “Jobs & Volunteering” can be found by logging onto www.wiltshire.police.uk.