AN aspiring film-maker has become the star of a new video aimed at encouraging more people to become volunteers.

Andrew England, from Durham, features in What's Your Passion?, a film produced by Barnardo's, as part of the Year of the Volunteer.

Mr England, 20, a Millennium Volunteer with CSV Action Durham, filmed a video highlighting the work of Age Concern's Intergenerational Programme after taking a course in film-making at Brighton.

He said: "I left uni and I didn't know what to do.

"I've always had an interest in film-making, but didn't know how to get into it. But then I made contact with my local volunteering agency and it came from there.

"I would definitely do it again. At first I thought I just wanted to make films, but now I want to do more documentaries like this one."

Mr England premiered his video at another event organised as part of the Year of the Volunteer, the Big Picture in Birmingham, where youngsters from around the country gathered to learn how to promote volunteering.

He said: "I used to think of volunteering as making tea or pushing a wheelchair on Remembrance Day. Having done this film, I now realise how wrong I was.

"It's been very rewarding, both in a professional way and personally."

Published: 05/03/2005