It was while I was at university that I started volunteering for Dragon Sport, originally to fulfil the service element of my Duke of Edinburgh award. I took the Dragon Sport Organisers training course and helped out at summer holiday camps in between university terms.

After completing my degree, I decided to take a year off to gain general community life experience before starting my climb up the career ladder.
I met my local Dragon Sport Coordinator many times to discuss the volunteering opportunities available to me and began at a local school, running netball and football clubs.

The Dragon Sport Co-ordinator also suggested that due to my previous experience, I might enjoy mentoring volunteers - offering support and guidance to people who may be new to a role or simply feel they would like support to develop their skills.

Dragon Sport is a great initiative as it aims to include the whole community, parents and teachers and I admire what it represents: fair play, inclusivity, team work and fun. Dragon Sport is free and caters for every standard and ability. It promotes the positive values of life, and I get so much out of seeing the children having fun.

I know my future career will be very demanding and allow little time for interaction with the community, so I really feel the experience has been valuable to me - it helps put everything into perspective.