This week is National Student Volunteer Week, running from Monday, August 9 to Sunday, August 15, which is held to acknowledge the great work done by the younger members of our community.

The Giving Australia 2016 Report found that younger Australians were more likely to have volunteered in the previous 12 months.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of 18- to 24-year-olds had volunteered, compared with 28pc of those aged 55 and over.

Young people around Bathurst help give back to their community in a variety of ways, from volunteering in fundraising activities to coaching sport, leading church youth groups, producing programs on local radio 2MCE-FM, involvement in our Bathurst Youth Council, and helping at special events such as the Friendship Festival at Abercrombie House or the Bathurst Winter Festival.

Joseph Hickey, a student participating in The Neighbourhood Centre's Youth Volunteer Program, said the volunteering he's been involved with has been fantastic in giving him new skills and confidence and has been great for his resume.

"I've been able to volunteer in areas that I'm really interested in, such as parkour at PCYC and cooking at fundraising barbecues," he said.

"I would really recommend volunteering to other students."

Volunteering has so many benefits for young and old alike.

So if you'd like to be involved in volunteering in an area that would suit you, just give The Neighbourhood Centre a call on 6332 4866 or email volprograms@binc.org.au.