What sort of voluntary work do you do, and where?
I am a member of staff on 1557 (Friars) squadron of the Air Training Corps. It's a voluntary youth organisation supported by the Royal Air Force and is open to all 13 to 18-year-olds.
Its aims are:
to promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Forceto provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian lifeto foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship.I attend in uniform and organise the evening's events for the cadets. I also teach leadership skills, help develop teamwork skills, coordinate the Duke of Edinburgh Award for the squadron, handle the administration side and help with any other activities that are being run.
At the weekends I also accompany the cadets on activities such as flying, gliding, shooting, hill walking, camping expeditions, taking part wherever possible.
How did you get started?
I joined the cadets at the age of 13 and gained so much confidence and had such brilliant experiences as a cadet that as soon as I was old enough to be a member of staff I started helping out as a civilian instructor and within two years had applied to become a member of uniformed staff.
How long have you been a volunteer?
I have been volunteering as a member of staff since I was old enough, at the age of 20, so for about eight years.
Are there any special skills you need to be a volunteer?
You don't really need any special skills, but it helps if you are enthusiastic and like to have fun, especially when working with teenagers. We look for people who have something to share with them, but that can be anything from life knowledge to in-depth understanding of how an aeroplane works.
How many hours do you give?
I volunteer a lot as I enjoy it so much. I usually go to squadron for two meetings a week for two and a half hours and quite often get involved with other activities at the weekend, which can be for a few hours a day or the entire weekend.
What are the best, and worst things about being a volunteer?
The best part of volunteering for me is watching a shy 13-year-old develop into an outgoing and confident adult with skills that will help them in their adult life, whatever they choose to do.
The worst thing is when people don't appreciate the time and effort you put in, but luckily this doesn't happen often.
How can others get involved?
As a squadron we hold meetings twice a week in a dedicated building within the grounds of Ysgol Friars, Bangor
You can find your nearest squadron using the interactive map on the Air Cadet Organisation website (right).
