Voluntary Action Leicester is appealing for new volunteers this week to help with a variety of schemes.

These are examples of some of the schemes aimed at helping young people:

Cut Loose Project recruits volunteers to work as mentors with young people in care or care leavers aged 12 to 19 who are at risk of substance misuse. Volunteer mentors are needed to meet up with young people once a week for about an hour.

They may work with young people to help them prepare for further education, providing practical support to enable them to live independently. This could include budgeting, cooking or decorating.

Mentoring may also involve accessing leisure facilities, planning career paths and acting as an advocate.

If you are 20 or older, able to commit an hour a week for anything up to a year, have good communication and listening skills and are reliable and trustworthy, they would like to hear form you.

Volunteers are paid expenses, receive BTEC accredited training and are offered support throughout. Hours can be arranged by negotiation.

Connection is a project supporting children with emotional needs who are experiencing difficulties. Connection runs a group for children aged four to 12 years on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Volunteers are needed to help with activities, including art, craft and team-building games. Volunteers are also needed to help and take part in day trips and residential weekends. Volunteers need to be aged 16 and above, have a positive outlook and a liking for children, be a good listener and have plenty of enthusiasm. Volunteer expenses are paid.

Carefree is a Barnardo's project based in Leicester and volunteer group workers are needed to engage in activities with young carers.

This may include going to the cinema, bowling or such, and involve volunteers providing a listening ear to young people.

It may also involve helping with transport and helping paid staff with the running and management of the group. Volunteers need to be able to offer at least three hours per fortnight (evenings) over a period of six months.

For details, call 0116 255 3333 or visit VAL at the Active Community Centre, 9 Newarke Street, Leicester, between 9am and 5pm, Mondays to Thursdays and 9am and 4.30pm Fridays.