A Dorchester volunteer centre has welcomed a new partnership.

The Dorset Volunteer Centre on Acland Road has been donated an ID card printer.

The welcomed donation came from Weymouth-based business, Magicard Ltd.

The centre is part of a national network of volunteering centres and recently noted a requirement to make sure all of their members were provided with ID badges.

The Dorset Volunteer Centre assists voluntary and community organisations across the county in recruiting and managing their volunteers.

It had been realised that, among other situations, the need for assistance to support the elderly in attending doctor and hospital appointments was growing, and the invaluable service provided by Neighbourhood Car Schemes across the county had volunteers needing to identify themselves.

The charity prides itself on promoting volunteering and encouraging people, regardless of age, to get more involved with their community.

They needed to find a way to prevent the volunteers from being turned away from healthcare establishments or similar, over security concerns.

Magicard Ltd, one of the world’s leading manufacturer of ID card printers, headquartered on the Granby Industrial Estate, therefore decided to donate an ID card printer to the volunteer centre.

This way, the centre can issue their own ID cards for all volunteers.

Paul Tayler from the Dorset Volunteer Centre, said: “Thanks to Magicard’s generosity, volunteer organisations across Dorset will have access to ID cards, and their volunteers will be able to prove who they are, and which organisation they represent, improving safety and security for all concerned.”

Andy Matko, managing director of Magicard Ltd, added: “It’s fantastic to be able to assist such a great organisation with their work.

“Knowing their generous volunteers can now continue with their hard work without the worry of being turned away is so important. Security is so important and we know that a secure ID card can put so many minds at ease, especially the elderly and their families.”