VOLUNTEERS have celebrated 80 years since their organisation was founded but have warned they may not be able to continue unless more people come forward to help out.

The Royal Voluntary Service, which runs the West Way day centre in Botley, was created by Lady Stella Reading in 1938 to meet the needs of the day - in hospitals and local communities.

Modern day volunteers have run the much-needed lifeline for older and vulnerable people in Field House, near the old West Way shopping centre, for 18 years but have had to cut back provision dramatically in recent months.

A Friday session has had to be scrapped and Mondays are now entirely staffed by only four volunteers with the one paid manager now spread thin working across various counties.

Penny Allen, who has volunteered for four years, said: "It is a great achievement to have been going so long but it is becoming more difficult to keep it going.

"There were people who relied on the Friday session but it was impossible for us to run it with only one or two people.

"We're constantly being told that people want us to start it up again because they enjoyed coming but that's not possible at the moment."

The day centre provides a hot lunch with tea and coffee to all guests as well as activities and transport from homes.

For many, it is a rare occasion to be able to get out and socialise with friends and people attend from as far afield as Abingdon.

But as volunteers have decreased, so have the people who attend due to a lack of publicity.

Each person is charged £15 for the day's event but funding is still tight and not guaranteed past March next year.

Ms Allen, who lives on nearby Eynsham Road, said: "We are hoping to be able to keep it going.

"We have got funding until next March and we are applying for more funds to at least keep the Monday session.

"But we need more people to come as volunteers and more people to just attend and make the most of it.

"It's not a big commitment - just a few hours a week - and I enjoy it and wish I could do more."

Three million people are estimated to have volunteered for the Royal Voluntary Service since its inception.

Started to encourage women to sign up and support the war effort, the organisation aims to support two million people by 2028.

As the population ages, the role of the organisation is seen as becoming increasingly important in tackling challenges including loneliness and ill health.

A party to celebrate the significant anniversary was held in the centre on Monday with volunteers and guests enjoying live music, activities and home-cooked food.

To enquire about volunteering in Botley, contact Sarah Bray on 07714 898 528 or sarah.bray@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk