We are halfway through #VolunteersWeek and today we are chatting to Laura from 2nd Arnold.
In addition to her Group roles, Laura is also a strong voice when it comes to our District as one of our brilliant Trustees!
Why did you start volunteering with The Scouts?
I joined Scouting when I was 6 as a Beaver. I enjoyed my time in Beavers and Cubs and as I was about to become a Scout my Cub Leader said he wanted me back when I was 12 to be a Young Leader. The week after I turned 12 I started helping at my old Cub section. In time I did all my Young Leader Modules and was a Young Leader there until I turned 18. Leading up to my 18th birthday there was a joke that on the day I would be given my Adult Membership Form to enable me to become an adult leader. This actually happened… I’m 25 now, still an Assistant Cub Leader to the Section I was once a Cub in and I’m now also a Scout Leader.
What is the best thing you’ve done as a young leader?
My favourite memories of being a Young Leader were always to do with joining the Young People on lots of camps. I was given responsibility to run activities/help and serve dinner/encourage the Young People through activities, whilst also being able to join in with the activities and have fun myself.
Have you learned anything new, as a volunteer?
I’ve learned so much as a volunteer and there’s still so much to learn. We always say that with every activity/camp/event we do, we constantly gain knowledge/skills of how we can improve next time. Through organising the Cub/Scout weekly programme with the other Leaders in the team I’ve gained lots of organisational skills to ensure the Young People get fun, varied nights in their programme. With that being said, not everything goes to plan/how it’s expected to so I’m also always improving my ability to think on the spot of what to do if activities finish quicker than we expected/don’t go as we thought they would. Through organising camps I’ve learned so much with one example being basic accounting skills such as budgeting a camp for 80 people to ensure there’s enough food/activities etc.
How do you think volunteering now will help at work/in your future career?
Employers receive many applications from people with similar qualifications. Adding volunteer and DofE skills helps to stand out from the crowd. This allows employers to see that you are more than an exam qualification.
I currently work in a Pre-School. I believe all my volunteering since the age of 12 has supported my ability to work with children and to communicate with them, their parents and the team I work with. When you volunteer you gain experience from your role with others of all ages/backgrounds this helps when you step into employment. As a volunteer I need to listen, learn, follow rules and share skills in the same way you do in employment.
We are always looking out for more volunteers to help continue teaching #SkillsForLife. If you think you can help as a leader, or even a trustee please let us know by emailing volunteer@centralnotts.org.uk
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