A PRESTON student has been putting her free time to good use by helping out at a centre for the disabled.

Sameema Umarji, of Argyll Road, Preston, is discovering the rewards of volunteering while working toward her BA Hons degree in social work and welfare studies.

But the 20-year-old wanted some hands-on experience and jumped at the chance to get involved with the Pukar Resource Centre in the city.

The Oakham Court centre provides educational and vocational services for people with disabilities.

Pukar outreach worker Sara Member said: "Sameema's fantastic and turns her hand to getting involved with classes, giving one-to-ones and even doing the administration."

After starting her university course last year Sameema met Waheeda Ahmed who co-ordinates the Volunteers in Action project, based at the Unity Centre, Shepherd Street, Preston.

"I haven't looked back," Sameema said. "Waheeda's been my mentor and inspiration. She's given me loads of advice and now I'm going to supervise a summer school over the holidays and I'm also giving tuition to a couple of local schoolchildren struggling with their studies.

"This is great for me. I want to get involved in the community and it is helping me focus on my future as well as giving something back to the local people."

The Unity Centre offers numerous services to people from ethnic minorities and its doors are open for free and confidential advice on all aspects of race relations including, immigration and discrimination.

Would-be volunteers can also get advice on helping others -- especially during Volunteer Week, which begins tomorrow (Friday) -- through the one-year-old Volunteers in Action project which has already received funding for the next two years.

Sameema will be clocking up a further 80 hours' voluntary work during the summer in order to qualify for a certificate from Millennium Volunteering -- which encourages people between the ages of 16 and 24 to get out among the community.

For details call Waheeda on 825665.