A Stevenage-based charity which helps people recover from addiction is set to acknowledge its legion of unpaid helpers during national Volunteers’ Week – which starts on Monday.

The Living Room Hertfordshire – which has one of its two centres based at The Glebe – relies on the time and expertise of 65 hard-working volunteers to help run the essential services it provide, and will be giving every person a Volunteers’ Week certificate in acknowledgement of their contribution.

The award-winning charity is also putting on a special display at its Revival charity shop at The Glebe, where it will also be serving up tea and cake for its volunteers.

Michelle Crocker, who works at The Living Room’s crèche, said “With Volunteers’ Week approaching, we were very keen to do something just as a small thank you to our volunteers.

“They are such a kind and modest group of people and it really is humbling to witness just how much of their time they give to us.”

Michelle was also keen to stress how volunteering can be a vehicle to progress into a career, with two crèche helpers gaining NVQ 2 qualifications in ‘early years’ childcare.

She added: “They have both now found part time work in local pre-schools. It is also wonderful they come back to volunteer here because they still want to give something back.”

Another volunteer called ‘Rosemary’ has been serving Revival customers for more than two years.

She explained: “I had heard of The Living Room and decided to help after reading about the great work they do in the Comet.

“They’re such nice people to work with and I feel I am helping a worthy cause that does such good work in the community.”

The Living Room Hertfordshire, which also has a centre in St Albans, supports individuals and their families to break free from addiction to substances and/or behaviours.

For more information visit www.livingroomherts.org, email fundraising manager Mark on markw@thelivingroom.me.uk or call 01438 355649.