A cancer support hub is calling for more volunteers a year after it opened a dedicated children’s centre.

The Hummingbird Centre is based in Launton, near Bicester, and provides cancer support services for Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire residents.

The children's centre supports young people aged four and above and has supported dozens of young people over the last 12 moths.

However, the demand for the centre's services continues to rise and as a result, it is appealing for more volunteers - particularly those experienced in working with young people, including counsellors and art and play therapists.

Kelly Sawyer, the children’s centre lead, said: "The centre has supported children and their families through the many challenges a cancer diagnosis can bring."

She added young people said the centre “helped me get rid of my scary memories” while parents described it as being “like a big hug for their children” and “a safe space to go where a child was able to talk about their feelings and emotions”.

She continued: “Looking to the future, our aim is to grow and develop on the current service to be able to support more children across a wide age range.

"That includes offering more counselling and interventions and also group play therapy for children and young people around loss and bereavement.”

The centre runs two sessions every Friday specifically tailored to children.

Mornings are dedicated to children aged four to eight, and afternoons are for those over eight.

Children can also access one-to-one counselling.

In a bid to expand its services, the centre is also inviting general volunteers and those who can provide complementary therapies including yoga, tai chi, Pilates, sound therapy, line dancing and kick boxing.

Founder Mechelle Harris said volunteers are the backbone of the centre, but the cost-of-living crisis had had an impact on numbers.

She said: "If you are someone who can make a fairly decent cuppa, have a good listening ear and are willing to have a go at anything then we would love to hear from you.

"Volunteering is all about wanting to perhaps develop your own passion, dreams or desires, so if you love crafting, admin, meet and greeting people, of just love feeling as though you are doing something good then you are for us.”

Those who are interested in volunteering can contact the Hummingbird Centre by calling 01869 244244 or emailing info@thehummingbirdcentre.org.uk.

The centre opened its doors in 2014 after a promise made by Ms Harris to her late father Raymond Hurcombe to create something good out of their loss as a family.