Louise Chestnutt, 24, from Portrush volunteers with both The Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster and the Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland. Louise has been a leader with her local Girls Brigade in Ballywatt for six years and a committee member in Moycraig Young Farmers' Club for five.

Describing her involvement with the Girls' Brigade Louise said, "I attend a meeting every Friday night. My role as leader involves preparation for the weekly meetings before hand and leading a group of approximately 20 young people aged four to seven. I organise games and activities for the meeting, scripture lessons, guest speakers and organise outings to various venues such as soft play areas. I also attend various leaders planning meetings from September to April.

As a committee member with Young Farmers I am currently PRO for the Club and in the past I have also been Secretary. As PRO I attend many events organised by and for members of Young Farmers. During the summer months many sporting and social outings and meetings are arranged.

We meet every second and fourth Tuesday of each month from September until Easter with many committee meetings at local and county level throughout the year. I also represent my club at community level in the North Antrim Agricultural Society who host events throughout the year including Ballymoney Agricultural Show."

Louise first got involved in volunteering through her friends as she felt it was a good way to make new friends and be part of the community. Louise also felt that she should "give something back" to her local community. "When I was younger I attended Girls' Brigade and youth clubs and I appreciated that young adults volunteered to facilitate these for me and so I felt that it was only right that I do the same for young people today.

What I enjoy most about volunteering is that I am helping to provide something for young people to do and somewhere where they can meet up and be safe whilst building friendships and learning skills which will help them in the future whether it be sporting or interacting with other people in a debate. I believe that volunteering is something everyone should do and I would encourage others to get involved."

Louise is a participant in the Millennium Volunteers Programme which recognises sustained volunteering among young people aged sixteen to twenty-four and has achieved her Award of Excellence, recognising 200 hours volunteering. Louise has also volunteered as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, which she achieved in April.

Louise recognises the benefits of both awards stating, "Both Millennium Volunteers and the Duke of Edinburgh Award help develop social and practical skills and when I have attended job interviews I have been able to draw on my experience from both to answer questions and demonstrate the various skills I have picked up over the years; from leading a meeting to making a new member feel welcome to organising large fundraising events."