* Volunteer Development England (www.vde.org.uk). Tel: 0121 6334555; l Volunteer Development Scotland (www.vds.org.uk).

Tel: 01786 479593;

* Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (www.wcva.org.uk).

Tel: 029 20431700.

All co-ordinate the network of local volunteer bureaux, which promote volunteering, provide opportunities for volunteers, and offer information on using and managing them.

* Community Service Volunteers (www.csv.org.uk). Runs two schemes that put volunteers into schools: Learning Together involves university students (tel, 020 7643 1320). RSVP is aimed at over-50s (tel, 020 7643 1385).

* Volunteer Reading Help (VRH) (www.vrh.org.uk). Tel: 020 7729 4087. Trains volunteers to boost literacy skills in primary schools .

* National Education Business Partnerships (www.businesslearningpartnership.org.uk).Tel: 01740 652681. Contact for details of local partnerships - most run some kind of volunteer or mentoring scheme, and offer excellent training.

* Business in the Community (www.bitc.org.uk). Another organisation linking businesses and schools.

* Timebank (www.timebank.org. uk). Promotes voluntary activity of all kinds. Initiatives include an “artists in schools” programme.

* Campaign For Learning (www.campaign-for-learning. org.uk).Tel: 020 7930 1111.

* National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (www.ncpta.org.uk).

Tel: 01732 748850.

* LEAs offer governor training, from induction to specialist courses.

* The National Association of Governors and Managers (www.nagm.org.uk) has a wide range of publications and reports.

* The National Governors’ Council (www.ngc.org.uk) produces resources and organises conferences.

* www.governyourschool.co.uk has information, resources and useful links.

* www.dfes.gov.ukgovernor index.cfm has basic information.

* www.schoolgovernors-osss. co.uk tries to find governors for schools.

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES

* www.dfes.gov.uk volunteering.

* www.standards.dfes.gov.uk studysupportrespublications community. Has lots of downloadable information on best practice involving volunteers.

* www.millenniumvolunteers. gov.uk. Encourages 16 to 24-year-olds to provide voluntary help in the community, including work in schools with younger children.

* www.educationextra.org.uk. Promotes voluntary participation in extracurricular activities.

PUBLICATIONS

* No Limits, by Jim Mulligan (CSV, tel: 020 7643 1314). Offers “a blueprint for involving volunteers in schools” with case studies.

* NASUWT (www.teachersunion. org.uk). Publishes a booklet, Adults in Schools, with a section devoted to involving volunteers. Tel: 0121 453 6150.

For full list of resources, see www.tes.co.uk