Nationally, 19 per cent of people regularly volunteer, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows, but in this region it seems the smallest communities give more of their time.

The most volunteer-minded council area in the Central West is Weddin Shire Council where 31.8 per cent of the population give up their own time to help others.

Also leading their way when it comes to volunteering is Forbes (25.1 per cent), Parkes (24.3 per cent), Blayney (24.2 per cent) and Nyngan (24.1 per cent).

In the bigger centres, the rate is also higher than the national average, with Bathurst at 20.7 per cent and Orange at 20.3 per cent.

For the past six years volunteer Jane Fairgrieve has been lending a hand to patients and nursing staff at Orange hospital.

As part of the Blue Ladies and Men volunteer group she performs a range of duties.

"We do washing for out-of-towners who are in hospital, attend to flowers or arrange for a rental TV and take magazines around," she said.

"If they [patients] want a cup of tea or water we get that for them."

Mrs Fairgrieve said often patients who are not local don't have a lot of visitors so she and other volunteers will regularly chat to these people to help keep them company.

The Blue Ladies and Men also help nursing staff by making up medical packs or helping out in the pathology or maternity units.

"You're on the go the whole time you're there, it's always different faces and we have a chuckle along the way," Mrs Fairgrieve said.

"I really like it, it's quite fulfilling."

National Volunteer Week started on Monday and finishes on Sunday.

Ronald McDonald House on Thursday held a reception to thank its volunteers, including Mrs Fairgrieve who, along with husband Bill, Marg Bowers and Cheryl Steward, have racked up 6000 hours volunteering at the house.