A NEW volunteering project has been launched to help people develop new skills.

VolunTeesValley is a new pilot scheme set up by the Area Tourism Partnership, visitTeesvalley, and is part of the region-wide North-East Volunteers project.

It will provide opportunities for people across the Tees Valley to take part in a range of cultural volunteering projects working in areas such as the arts, sport and the environment.

The aim of the pilot is to encourage as many people as possible from a diverse range of backgrounds to take part in voluntary work at local museums, visitor attractions, events and sports clubs and, in return, receive training and first-hand work experience.

Cara Pringle, events marketing officer from VolunTeesValley said: "There are so many exciting opportunities available through volunteering in the Tees Valley especially with all the cultural events we have taking place over the summer such as Middlesbrough Mela and the Stockton International Riverside Festival.

"We are trying to reach out to people from a range of backgrounds but especially those who may have recently become unemployed because of the recession or those who are finding it hard to get back to employment for whatever reason."

For more information call 01642-263101 or visit www.visitteesvalley.co.uk/volunteesvalley