This morning I could really feel autumn is in the air. The dew on the spiders’ webs and lawn looked as if someone has sprinkled the garden with diamonds.

As I write this, the Paralympics is heading towards the Closing Ceremony and I am looking forward to seeing another extraordinary and moving celebration of Olympic talent.

It has been quite a year for spectacle with the Diamon Jubilee, Torch Relays, Olympics and Paralympics, as well as all the usual fundraising events held by schools, churches and charities.

I have felt extremely proud to have placed volunteers at some of these special events alongside some of my fellow Volunteer Centre managers who have taken their annual leave to volunteer as Sports Ambassadors, drivers and participants in the Games. None of it could have been achieved without the thousands of willing volunteers, not one of whom has reported to me a negative experience.

With the onset of the longer autumn evenings, why not check out the Do-it website (www.do-it.org.uk) and take a look at the diverse volunteering opportunities available? At present there are a range of positions being advertised - working with the elderly, for example, at the Douglas Brunton Centre in Caterham; working with young people as a local Scout leader or supporting disabled teenagers to take part in social activities. If you express an interest in any of the roles advertised on the website, a Volunteer Centre Manager will contact you to give you more information and help provide you with a good volunteering experience.