IT'S all change for staff at The Partners Group, the York marketing communications agency, who are swapping their PR and graphic design skills for a taste of community volunteering.

It is part of Life Swap Week, which takes place over five days from next Monday.

Life Swap Week is organised by York Cares, which is urging up to 300 workers in the city to take advantage of an opportunity to take part in a choice of volunteering "taster" sessions to benefit a number of local causes.

The Partners Group volunteers will be sharing their experience of working life with primary school children, while others will landscape West Bank Park or drink sherry with the residents of York elderly people's homes.

Those with a passion for heritage are opting to show people around the National Railway Museum or York Minster, while budding Sven-Goran Erikssons will help train six and seven-year-old children for a five-a-side football competition.

Monica Green, account director at The Partners Group said: "York Cares is encouraging workers and employers to put something back into the local community, and all they are asking for is an hour of your time.

"The Life Swap Week provides a structured week of activities that everyone can get involved in. It's a no-obligation opportunity for workers to see how easy it is to fit voluntary work into their busy lives. We are all really looking forward to it."

York Cares, an independent charity, has already received backing from local employers including City of York Council, Corus, Garbutt and Elliott, Norwich Union, and the University of York.

For further information about how to join York Cares, or to volunteer for Life Swap Week, phone Gayle Johnson on 01904 433482 or email gayle@yorkcares.co.uk

Updated: 10:29 Monday, March 20, 2006