Melanie Thrush, 22, from Bangor is currently studying for a Masters degree at Queen's University Belfast, working part time and volunteered a whopping 80 hours last month alone. In a sea of students graduating with good degrees Melanie stands head and shoulders above her peers and through her volunteering demonstrates a remarkable dedication, enthusiasm and desire to make her mark on the world by being a representative for Northern Ireland Scouting on the UK and international stage, developing skills and leadership qualities that future employers will in no doubt be anxious to snap up.

Melanie has a number of local and national volunteering roles in The Scout Association UK. She is a member of the UK Board of Trustees, the National General Purposes Committee and a youth representative on the Nation Council of The Scout Association. In Northern Ireland, she is an Under 25 representative on the Northern Ireland Scout Council and Communications Sub-committee. Melanie still finds time to actively volunteer weekly as an adult volunteer leader with 1^st Bangor Scout Group, Gryphon Explorer Unit (North Down) and as a volunteer warden at Northern Ireland Scout Centre Crawfordsburn. She has a real passion for the outdoors and adventure and enjoys the chance to share this and provide young people with the support and opportunity to get involved in the excitement and challenges that Scouting has to offer.

As a youth member of 1^st Bangor Scout Group, Melanie enjoyed her time as a Scout and Explorer Scout so much that at the age of 16 she became a leader. Melanie explains; "I wanted to give something back to my community but I also wanted to continue having fun! I enjoy working with young people, I find it very interesting and I'm always learning something new."

Melanie's list of volunteering commitments is extensive but as she highlights, "I volunteer a lot because I love it. The number of hours I volunteer varies from week to week, if I wanted to cut back I could but I have so much fun I have never wanted to. One week I might be involved in planning for UK Scouting's involvement in the 2012 Olympics and the next week, caving with a group of Explorer Scouts at Crawfordsburn and covered in mud."

As one of only three young members of the Board of Trustees of The Scout Association, Melanie welcomes the opportunity to give her opinion. "As I am active on the ground, being a Scout leader, I am sometimes in a better position than other members of the Board to know what would work well on the ground and what would not. I represent young people involved in Scouting and by sitting on the Board their views are heard through me. As one of the decision makers my volunteering has provided me with countless opportunities. I have developed many skills for my working life, including team work, representation and leadership, and have grown in confidence to such an extent that I am now able to stand up and voice my opinion at major conferences at international level, including delivering a speech at the Royal Centenary Garden Party attended by Prince Edward. I was a member of the Northern Ireland Leadership Team at the 2007 World Scout Jamboree which was held in Hyland Park, Essex, which 40,000 scouts from 153 countries attended. I enjoy being part of a worldwide organisation and helping young people to realise that they are part of the 28 million members of the global Scouting family.

I have made a huge group of friends from all over the world through volunteering. I have had the opportunity to do a lot of travelling and to develop skills to enable me to become more self-reliant. Students should think about volunteering this Student Volunteering Week, 22-28 February. As students generally have a lot of free time it is a great way to learn new skills, take on a challenge and get the opportunity to do things you wouldn't normally do. Volunteering looks great on your CV and can be fun for volunteers too!"

If you love the outdoors (or the indoors!) and like working with young people, aged 6 - 25 years, then volunteering with The Scout Association could be for you. Visit www.scouts.org.uk more information.