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THE VOLUNTEER centre is celebrating its most successful year ever and hoping to attract more funding to extend opening hours.
More than 40 people attended the Haverhill Volunteer Centre's annual meeting.
Town Mayor Angela Millar, Mike Brundle, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Jonathan Moore, Chief Officer of the Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations, were among those who attended.
Manager Mary Parodi said the centre had turned its finances around from a near £3,000 deficit to a £6,000 income for specific projects. The centre has received financial support from National Westminster Bank, Lloyds TSB Trust and Abbey National.
Chairman Eric Bowman said it had been a busy year with both the number of volunteers and the amount of referrals rising.
Volunteers have been involved in the construction of the Millennium Maze, a willow tree maze in East Town Park, and the centre has re-established links with social services.
"perhaps over the next year we will have more successes in the struggle for core funding which can only result in a better deal for our client base.
"I personally feel that it would be nice to see an increase in the opening hours of the centre, which can only be achieved with guaranteed core funding," Mr Bowman said.
In the coming year, the centre aims to continue to recruit and support volunteers, offering a full range of opportunities and training, especially to young people. It will also offer entertainment during Volunteers Week, a full community lunch programme and complete the Millennium Maze.
The Haverhill Volunteer Centre web site can be found by clicking the 'web link' button above.