Somerset Skills Bank, run by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) in partnership with Spark Somerset, is an initiative that aims to encourage volunteers to donate their time and expert skills to support local charities.

If you're looking to develop new skills and experience, or have recently been furloughed and would like to use your free time to volunteer in the Shepton Mallet area, this could be just what you're looking for.

Laura Blake, development director at the Bath and West Showground-based SCF, said: "Research has shown that volunteering can deliver many benefits, including improved physical and mental health.

"If you have specialist skills and would like to use them to support a good cause, we can match you to the right volunteering opportunity and make it easy and rewarding for you to give back.

"Whether you're an HR professional, marketing specialist or IT guru, there are lots of charities in Somerset that can benefit hugely from your time and skills."

To sign up to volunteer in Somerset visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/skillsbank and click through to fill in the simple online form and the team will be in touch to match you to a local charity.

If you have any queries you can contact SCF by email at [email protected] or, if that isn't possible, you can call 01749 344949.

Community Foundations, including the Somerset one based near Shepton Mallet, are local champions, connecting people and organisations that want to improve their communities.

They invest in local people and organisations tackling some of the biggest issues facing communities today and supporting some of society's most disadvantaged people.

They provide help and advice to those who want to give at the heart of their communities, both now and in the long-term, by matching donors to important local causes.

Last year SCF provided funding of £2.6 million to almost 300 projects across the county, supporting 40,000 people.