Essex is an amazing county, full of talented, knowledgeable and enthusiastic people. Essex County Council (ECC) is looking to harness the passion and skills residents have to make our county an even better place to live and work.

Last year, research released by the New Local Government Network said that 75% of Essex residents don’t regularly participate in volunteering. However, there is a lot going on in the county. There are an estimated 10,000 voluntary groups across Essex, and 25% of Essex residents volunteering equates to 320,000 people across the county.

Recent research conducted by ECC indicates that 20% of residents are interested in getting involved with their local community in the future, including 25% of 18-24 year olds, 24% of 25-44 year olds, 13% of 45-64 year olds and 10% of those aged 65+.

ECC, working in collaboration with the voluntary sector, has developed a website to showcase volunteering opportunities across the county.

It can be daunting finding something that will fit with your lifestyle but www.goodforessex.org showcases a myriad of opportunities that all residents can get involved in with whether they have a lot or a little time to give. Volunteering doesn’t necessarily mean a large amount of commitment. Register at www.goodforessex.org to simply and quickly match your interests and skills to opportunities with voluntary and community groups in your area.

Councillor Peter Martin, Leader of Essex County Council said: “There is an appetite for residents to get involved in their local community and young people in particular expressed higher levels of interest. I believe that everyone has the skills and energy that’s needed to make a difference and there is a wealth of untapped knowledge and skills across the county.

“We’re asking residents to think about how they can support the work of voluntary and community groups, that make such a difference to lives of people across Essex. Get involved and look at the variety of opportunities on offer, you might be surprise by what you find.”

Visit www.goodforessex.org  to find out about the organisations and opportunities near you.