Why aren't people as eager as they used to be to work as volunteers any more - particularly mature people who have time on their hands and, in many cases, lots of energy?

Elsewhere on this page there's the story of Clayton Heights Old Folks' Treat, which is folding after a century largely because not enough younger people are coming forward to help organise it. Fourteen of those on its committee are over 70.

But it seems to be the same story all over. Take Age Concern's Handiperson project, under which over-55s who have the sort of skills that make them handy around the house help less able people by doing simple jobs they find difficult. That's attracted only five volunteers.

The Energy Ambassadors project was intended to recruit older volunteers to learn about energy conservation so they could advise householders on how to keep warmer and save money. It never got off the ground because not enough people came forward.

I was told the other day of a pensioners' group with nearly 600 members which closed because when the chairman and secretary decided at last to call it a day, no-one would take over.

It's the same all over, according to Age Concern Bradford's director, Carol Wooler. She says that the number of people wanting to volunteer seems to be shrinking right across the board. Organisations of every sort are feeling the pinch.

According to Carol, the people who traditionally help in the community are getting older and starting to need support themselves. And just not enough people from younger generations are coming forward to replace them.

We're not talking "young" generations here, but "younger". As those in their 70s and 80s decide to take life a little more easily, they need to be replaced by people in their 60s and 50s in sufficiently large numbers to keep the organisations going and thriving.

And those in their 60s and 50s need to be setting an example which they hope the generation now in its 40s and 30s will in turn be prepared to follow. If they don't, then when or if we come to need the help, or support, or comfort, or companionship that organisation provides, it might no longer be there.

What makes matters worse is that this decline in volunteers is coinciding with an increasing dependency on voluntary groups as the Welfare State is steadily being dismantled.

So here's an appeal on behalf of all those who currently work in the voluntary sector or depend on it in some way. Look at your life and see if you can spare a few hours a week. There are lots of ways in which help can be given: fund-raising, making teas, driving a minibus, collecting items for summer fairs, standing behind stalls, doing a bit of gardening, visiting, taking people to the shops....The range of opportunities is huge. If you don't fancy one, pick another.

If you want to be put in touch with organisations which could do with your help, please contact either Age Concern (Bradford 395144) or the Council for Voluntary Services (Bradford 722772).

l The over-65s are leading the field in active sports, according to a new Mintel survey. Almost one in five participates in sport for at least an hour a week. More retired people are playing golf or joining health clubs and gyms.

A Mintel spokesman said: "By far the biggest increase in individual sports has come from those over 65. As elderly people realise that good health is vitally important for a longer life, so our golf courses and gyms are full of grey panthers."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.