The bowling skills of three Tauranga City Councillors were put to the test this morning as they volunteered their time to catch up with IHC clients at Ten Pin Tauranga.

Councillors Steve Morris, Catherine Stewart and Matt Cowley were paired with three IHC volunteers and three clients to get an inside look into volunteering as part of National Volunteer Week.

Councillors in IHC volunteer week. Stephen Pritchard and Helen Campbell with Jan Harper a volunteer and Councillors Catherine Stewart and Steve Morris.

Volunteer Western Bay of Plenty coordinator Iris Beemster says the idea behind getting the councillors involved is to raise awareness of the upcoming Volunteer Week, beginning June 15.

'We wanted to do something next week, but none of the councillors were available so decided to do something today before the week started.

'As part of National Volunteer week [June 15-21] Volunteer Western Bay of Plenty wanted to give our city councilors the opportunity to experience volunteering first hand.”

Steve says they had no idea where they were going, or who they would be teamed up with, when they took up with invitation from Volunteer Western Bay of Plenty.

'It's fantastic to see these guys playing ten pin bowling, and I might add substantially better than the councillors.

'There was an invitation sent around by the Volunteer Western Bay of Plenty and it's something I do in my personal life.” Steve wanted to get a handle on what the volunteer centre does as an organisation.

'The particular advantage of the Volunteer Centre is that they will pair you up with an organisation that suits your skills so your time is not wasted.

'I really encourage people who are looking for something to do to pop down to the Volunteer Centre [at Historic Village] because they have the network and can plug you into all manner of organisations, who need your assistance and your skill.” Steve says Tauranga has a huge resource of retired people, who have the time to volunteer and those who have moved here from other places and are yet to develop connections in the community.

'They [Volunteer Western Bay of Plenty] will team you up with the right people and you will have a good time."

For more information on volunteering click here.