Young people in the Towns have dedicated more almost 15,500 hours to making a difference in their communities over the last two years – that’s almost 22 hours of volunteering a day.

Through Medway Youth Trust, the Messenger’s charity of the year, youngsters have been getting involved in projects to help improve the lives of others.

Since summer 2014, they have dedicated 15,477 hours to making a difference.

They have helped with decorating and gardening in schools and care homes, collecting items to be donated to homeless people, helping pack a container to be shipped to hospitals in Africa, conservation and fundraising for overseas disasters and local charities.

Their hard work has continued this week during National Volunteers’ Week where a team has been carrying out a project in the gardens and cemetery at the Chatham Memorial Synagogue in Rochester High Street.

Sue Torrison, assistant head of social action and volunteering at MYT, said: “Some of the graves are inaccessible for relatives to pay their respects as they are covered in ivy so we have been delicately clearing the area. There is also an outside structure that is utilised in some ceremonies that we are treating so it will last a few more years.

“It’s a beautiful building and the worship area was restored by an English Heritage grant about 15 years ago. Sadly the rest of the building is in need of some attention and the community would very much appreciate any help our young people can offer.

“Young people volunteer for a variety of reasons – some to help and some to gain experience or friends – but they all finish their project with a sense of pride and purpose.”

From tour guides to the people who polish the brass, Rochester Cathedral would not be able to run without its dedicated team of volunteers.

More than 350 people give up a few hours of their own time to help with the day-to-day running of England’s second oldest cathedral. The historic place of worship is visited by more than 150,000 people of all ages, nationalities, faiths, cultures and backgrounds every year.

Their first point of contact is the welcome desk, staffed by volunteers who hand out audio guides, leaflets and guidebooks as well as providing information.

Guides provide visitors with an insight into the history, architecture and characters that have previously visited, worked and worshipped at the cathedral.

Other volunteer roles include flower arranging, gardening, brass cleaning, embroidering, education and fundraising.

Volunteers’ Week runs until June 12. Wednesday is also Step Up To Serve’s national #iwillpledge day aimed at getting all 10 to 20-year-olds involved in social action by 2020.