A NEW volunteering strategy aimed at getting people to help others has been launched at an event in York.

Partners from across the city, including York CVS, York Cares, the University of York, York St John University, North Yorkshire Police and the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, came together on Monday to launch the strategy, , dubbed ‘people helping people.’

The launch came as it was announced that York is the tenth city in the UK to join the international Cities of Service coalition.

A spokesman said this focussed on ‘impact volunteering,’ which targets community needs, uses best practice, has clear outcomes and measures progress.

It aimed to help local people find the best ways to mobilise energy, talent and passions to make a real difference to local priorities, and measured the results and the impact volunteers were having, rather than measuring how many people volunteer.

The launch was also attended by Oswaldo Mestre Jr, director of Citizens Services for Buffalo in America, who wanted to find out more about the system.

Cllr Ann Reid, interim executive member for leisure at City of York Council. said the people of York were one of its greatest assets and currently provided great support to communities.

She said: "This strategy looks to build on the work people are doing and help them make an even bigger impact in their communities."

York CVS chief executive Sarah Armstrong said: “I believe wholeheartedly that people and communities can be supported to grow into the best they can be, so when a strong, simple, well tested idea comes along, perfectly suited to York, I pay close attention. That’s why I am so keen to spread the word about Cities of Service and its potential for York.”