"I am based in Cardigan, having returned in 2002 to my native Pembrokeshire after 11 years in Manchester. However, RSVP's work is visible in most parts of Wales and I believe we now have between 2,500 and 3,000 volunteers involved in helping primary school youngsters to read, knitting beautiful garments for domestic and overseas aid, assisting in prisons and recording wartime reminiscences, to name but a few activities.

RSVP is the over-50s arm of Community Service Volunteers, recruiting volunteers to carry out community work in their own area.

I have been closely involved with the Cars for Carers scheme, which until two years ago was unique to Pembrokeshire. Jill Edge was developing the charity's activities back in 2002, and she discovered that Pembrokeshire's unpaid carers were really struggling with transport.

A small start-up grant was awarded for a pilot scheme and it is still going to this day. Day-to-day journeys are organized by volunteers John & Denise, and we have an extremely capable volunteer project manager, Gerard, who keeps everything on an even keel. The journeys themselves are carried out by volunteer drivers who give their time to transport our unsung caring heroes.

Two years ago, we managed to get funding to set up the scheme in neighbouring Ceredigion, and things are going well.

I was in sales for 9 years and although I liked meeting people, for me it lacked purpose - there was definitely something missing. Finding a post with RSVP has opened up a world where I feel I belong.

People in the voluntary sector help each other, there is great generosity of spirit, as there is generally a feeling that we are all working for the same thing, and great partnerships are formed.

The sector does tremendous work in Pembs and Ceredigion - PAVS, Beacon of Hope, the Red Cross, the WRVS, PACTO, Hafal to name but a few of the groups are making a difference to people's lives every day and have also found time to support our efforts locally. We work with them all on a regular basis.

Of course, it always helps to be working in one of the most stunning parts of the British Isles and I'm thankful that I, along with hubbie Colin and naughty Jack Russell Bosun, have bagged our little bit of heaven."

Article by Rachel Evans