What sort of voluntary work do you do, and where?
I am a Young Leader with the Scouts at the 3rd Colwyn Bay (Old Colwyn) Scout Troop. This means that I receive training as an adult Scout leader would, but am not yet 18 - so I can also take part in activities as an Explorer Scout at the same time.

My Young Leader work involves doing everything that Adult Leaders do, and it can be great fun. I attended a Young Leader training weekend near Swansea to do my training, then I worked on the service team for the huge All Wales Scout Camp. Both of these were done as a member of Team X, the All-Wales young leaders unit.

I am also an executive committee member with the 3rd Colwyn Bay Scout Group, which involves making decisions and organising events. I also run the Old Colwyn Scouts website, which really requires a lot of commitment - not giving up when it gets too hard. It all seems to have paid off though when the website won an award.

How did you get started?
I was a Cub Scout back in 2000, and just before my 11th birthday became a Scout, then after almost four years I chose to become a Young Leader.

How long have you been a volunteer?
I have been a Young Leader since April 2006. I have been managing the group's new website since September 2005.

Are there any special skills you need to be a volunteer?
I feel that the greatest young leaders are those who choose to do it, not those who are conned or persuaded into doing it, or do it for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Other than that, no other skills are necessary.

How many hours do you give?
I am usually running Scout meetings for two hours per week, and running the website for about an hour a day on weekdays, and two or three hours a day at weekends. When there are Scout camps I can be working almost constantly for a weekend.

Next year will mark the 100th year of Scouting, and there is lots going on to celebrate, so my 'workload' will increase. I have to organise centenary celebrations, and am going to the World Scout Jamboree with 39,999 others aged 14-18, to spend 12 days camping in Hylands Park, Chelmsford (Essex). So I also have to raise over £800 to pay for me to go there. But I still love every minute of it.

What are the best and worst things about being a volunteer?
The best bit has got to be the camps - although they are tiring and taxing, they are well worth it at the end. As for the worst bit, probably the paperwork - risk assessments, accident reports and anything else that requires writing too much!

How can others get involved?
For anyone that wants to get involved in Scouting in any way (as a scout, leader, young leader or committee member), the easiest way is to visit www.scouts.org.uk or call the Scout information centre at Gilwell park on 0845 300 1818.