Volunteers contribute over £160m pounds a year to the Fife economy, according to the most recent figures.
Nearly a quarter of adults in the Kingdom give up their time for a group or organisation - slightly more women than men. That figure has fallen from a high of 28% in 2013. Throughout Scotland, 28% of Scots contributing £2.6bn last year, working 162m hours for groups and organisations.
Suicide prevention charity The Samaritans have branches in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline. Scottish volunteers responded to 230,000 calls for help last year. Across the UK, they received 5.3 million calls for help, an increase of more than 100,000.
Samaritans’ Trustee for Scotland, Keith Walker said:
"Our research shows that for almost everyone who contacts us, it’s the human interaction that’s important - getting a response from a real person. And almost 3 out of 4 people tell us that they feel more understood, and less alone or anxious, after contacting Samaritans.
Samaritans wouldn’t exist without the dedication and generosity of our volunteers. As well as listening to callers, responding to emails and texts, and offering emotional support face to face, there are lots of ways people can get involved. We need people who enjoy fundraising, marketing, helping with admin or IT, and who are happy to apply their skills in different roles."
Kingdom FM spoke to Francis Jack, the chair of the Dunfermline branch. She told us how important volunteers are:
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