Help group gets louder voice with more volunteers A LEIGH-BASED help group has doubled its number of volunteers to help with an escalating caseload.

Nine new advocates are set to go out into the community to assist the increasing number of vulnerable people in the area who cannot speak for themselves.

Church Street-based group Add A Voice, set up in 1994, has been running a training course for new counsellors over the past seven weeks.

The new recruits undertook their final session this week and were presented with their qualification certificates by Shirley Little from the Wigan and Leigh Council for Voluntary Services.

The volunteers offer advocacy support, and help clients to voice their opinions, and work with them to ensure that all their needs are met.

They also assist people to attend meetings or write letters, move out of supported accommodation into their own home, and access information about budgeting their finances. All services are free and confidential.

Advocacy services co-ordinator Lucy Whiting said: "Having a new number of volunteers means we can help more people in the community.

"Demands for our services have been escalating dramatically over the past few months and now that the volunteers have completed their training, we can begin matching them up with people requiring our support.

"The main caseload covers health issues and social services."

To find out more about the service contact the office on 01942 601563 or e-mail lucy@addavoice.fsnet.co.uk, or alternatively pop into the ofice at 53, Church Street, Leigh.