Full-Time Volunteering - Charlie's Story

Charlie Pritchard, 24, from Kent, volunteered for 8 months at a regional activity centre for Girlguiding Anglia in Norfolk. He shares how his experience as a CSV Full Time Volunteer helped his application for officer entry into the Royal Navy.

"When I left university in 2008 I began an application for officer entry to the Royal Navy although unfortunately at my final stage interviews I was told that I needed to develop my teamwork and leadership skills before they would consider my application. After a summer working as a sailing instructor in America I returned with the desire to use a few months to volunteer in order to build on my experience. I decided to volunteer with CSV and was accepted at Hautbois House, an activity centre in Norfolk. After a few intense months of training in activities such as kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, archery etc (and gaining some valuable certificates while doing so), I began taking sessions with a range of groups in both age and ability, filling in any spare time with working around the estate dredging ditches and building fences.

I found the onsite staff incredibly supportive and helpful, and forgiving when the occasional mistake was made, encouraging me and the other volunteers in our work with our clients, children and adults alike.

I believe we all developed different, although equally strong, styles of group management and instruction, a fact that was picked up and commented on when I returned in October 2010 to the Admiralty Interview Board. Due to a marked improvement in all areas that were being assessed at the board (team work, group management, leadership and communication skills) I received confirmation shortly afterwards that I had been successful at the interview and I began training in January 2011 at Dartmouth, a result that I do not feel would have been possible had it not been for my experience in Norfolk.

I would thoroughly recommend volunteering with CSV to anyone wanting to give something back to the community, expand their CV or just to try something a little bit different - however as with most things in life, you only get out what you put in. Although it is very hard work, both physically and mentally, the benefits far outweigh the negatives and I have already recommended to some of my friends that they look at volunteering with CSV."