Lorna Worrall - Girlguiding

Lorna Worrall’s volunteering viewpoint:

Why did you start volunteering?

I initially got into volunteering to meet new people and for new experiences after returning to the area in 2008. I also raised money for Breast Cancer Care by making pink and white earrings to develop my interest in Jewellery making.

In November 2008, I began volunteering with Girl Guides in New Quay. I wanted to volunteer in my home town with young people. As a young person growing up in New Quay I had fond memories and experiences as a Girl Guide. I joined Girl Guiding Cymru to give young girls of New Quay the opportunity to develop into independent young women through Girl Guides as I did.

Why did you choose to sign up with the MV Scheme?

The MV Scheme gives recognition of the volunteering you do in your area. It counts all the hours in any volunteering you do, through any organisation. This means I could include both Girl Guides and the time spent for raising money for Breast Cancer Care.

In 12 months I achieved my 50 hour, 100 hour and 200 hour Millennium Volunteering Certificates. This means that as a result I have gained my 200 hour MV Award of Excellence.

Has volunteering helped your social or working life in any way?

Volunteering has certainly made a difference to my working and social life. Volunteering with Girl Guides has helped me change careers from the financial services to teaching mathematics!! Girl Guides has helped me to integrate with young people at my school on a social and professional level.

I have also met new people through Girl Guiding Ceredigion by attending AGMs, social events, Centenary day events and being sent on training days. I have also been given the opportunity to complete the Adult Leadership Qualification.

What happens after the MV Scheme?

I will still continue to volunteer with Girl Guides to complete my Adult Leadership Qualification. I am also running the Race for Life in Cardiff in July 2010 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.