THEY are the lifeblood of local communities.

Volunteers ensure charities and organisations can thrive and, more importantly, survive - particularly through straitened times.

According to The Citizenship Survey by the Cabinet Office in 2009, 26 per cent of all adults in Bradford volunteered regularly. The city also had the highest rates of volunteering in the whole of Yorkshire.

Dave Forrest, director of Volunteering Bradford, says the high levels of volunteering here have baffled researchers. Traditionally volunteering rates are lower in rural areas and higher in urban areas.

"Here in the District participation rates are the same high levels in both rural and urban areas. I think Bradford's thriving and strong charity sector has a lot to do with it," says Dave.

"The people of Bradford are incredibly generous with their time and the key organisations in the District are good at working together to champion good causes like volunteering."

Dave refers to the "People Can make A Difference" campaign which promotes the fact that people in communities "Can and Do" make a difference to where and how they live.

"All the charities, businesses and statutory partners are working together on the "People Can make A Difference campaign. People can do amazing things to help others, through volunteering, being a good neighbour, giving to charity and community action," explains Dave.

"Friends of the Deceased," a community group of 300 volunteers who garden and restore over-grown paths on a quarterly basis at Scholemoor Cemetery, is one of many initiatives demonstrating this.

And there are plenty of opportunities for people to get involved with more than 2,000 community organisations in the district and over 1,000 different volunteer roles currently available.

"I would encourage anyone to contact the Volunteer Centres to find out more as we have amazing and life changing volunteer roles to suit your skills and lifestyle," says Dave.

The city's commitment to volunteering has already been acknowledged: "The Bradford Volunteer Centre is recognised by NCVO (the national charity for the voluntary sector) as a Community Beacon, an exemplar of good practice and only one of two Volunteer Centres with this status in the whole country," explains Dave.

"This is because of our innovative approaches to help people volunteer using social media, text messages and cloud based internet and our work with local businesses on team based volunteering challenge days."

Edmund Davies is one of the many individuals who devote their spare time for the sake of others.

The 33-year-old from Bradford joined the St Vincent's charity shop in Sunbridge Road in his home city on a mandatory work activity through the local job centre.

Edmund explains it was a four week placement with the organisation which offers free independent, confidential advice, advocacy and support on housing and related matters and also provides low cost furniture, electrical appliances and other items.

"But three and a half years and I am still with them," says Edmund.

Being an actor, Edmund is often in between jobs and relishes his voluntary role which involves him serving customers and dealing with deliveries.

Aside from the satisfaction of helping others, he also enjoys meeting people - something he relates to his acting.

Interestingly, his first volunteer role was at the Priestley Centre, now Bradford Playhouse, where he worked as an usher and served refreshments. He is now in a similar voluntary role at the Square Chapel, Halifax.

Edmund developed his interest in acting at school and initially joined Mind the Gap theatre group in Bradford.

In 2011 he appeared as a patient in Holby City and 10 years ago he played a part in the ITV crime drama series, Cold Blood.

Edmund was due to be involved in a radio series when we spoke but his ultimate ambition? To land a role in Doctor Who.

In the meantime he is hoping to encourage others to become volunteers and help swell this essential 'workforce.'

He says volunteering can help to build confidence and self esteem; expand friendships and can also count on your CV.

"I get a good feeling for doing it because I am giving up my free time to help a charity that helps people who are in more severe situations than I am in. It's a nice way of giving back," adds Edmund.

On Tuesday (June 13) a Volunteers' Fayre takes place from 11am until 3pm in City Park, Bradford.

Around 20 different groups are participating in the event as part of the recent Volunteers' Week (June 1 to 7). Organised by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, Volunteers Week recognises the contributions made by the millions of volunteers across the UK.

“Bradford has a wide range of charities so there is something to suit everyone,” explains Dave.

"This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering to come along and meet some of the groups or find out more about what volunteering entails."

For more information about this free event call 01274 725434 or email dave@volunteeringbradford.org.