News

Mum of two: “Being an adult volunteer is ‘my time’ away from home”

Adult volunteer Under Officer Vikki Hill, aged 31, is a mum of two, works part-time as an Office Manager for the NHS and volunteers with Lincolnshire ACF’s Newport Detachment in her spare time.

Speaking about her ACF journey so far, Vikki explained: “I was previously a cadet for six years. I had a 12 year gap due to other commitments before re-joining the ACF as an adult volunteer. I did my training at this time and became a Sergeant Instructor. I then became the Detachment Commander of Newport Cadet Centre and I’m currently waiting to go to Westbury to do my officer training all in just under a year.

“It’s all been really quick but because I have committed myself to my development and worked really hard good things have happened to me. Being an adult volunteer is great as it allows you to get out of the process what you put in.”

Speaking about balancing her family commitments and working life. Vikki said: “It’s important for me to be organised and have a routine in place. My children always come first so spending time with them is always at the top of my priority list but being an adult volunteer is ‘my time’ away from home where I can help to make a difference to the lives of other young people.”

Being a mum to two young girls Vikki often speaks to her children about activities she is undertaking in the ACF and they ask questions about her uniform when they see it at home. She continued: “I take the girls with me to as many events as I can. They attended Remembrance Sunday last year and asked loads of questions afterwards.

“My eldest daughter just joined Beavers as it is the closet youth group she can join in her age bracket, although she would like to join the ACF in the future. I know they are really proud of me as their mummy when they see me marching up and down in my uniform and hear me talking about events I have planned.”

The ACF opens up lots of opportunities for both young people and adult volunteers in terms of both practical skills and qualifications in areas like adventure training or Leadership and Management.

Vikki concluded: “My confidence has definitely grown since I started to volunteer. I have learnt how to communicate with children who are a little older than my girls at home, how to teach lessons and how to make activities we are doing engaging for everyone involved. In my day job I work closely with autistic children so this is a transferable skill I have been able to bring with me in to the ACF allowing me to understand the needs of those with varied needs in the youth organisation.

“Working for the NHS I have to be First Aid trained and being a part of the ACF this is also an important skill so I feel my two roles do have cross-overs and work well together.

“I would encourage others to join the ACF as the experience gives you a sense of responsibility. It allows you to develop a sense of pride and means you can have a positive impact on young people who come from various different backgrounds. You can help cadets achieve things they never thought were possible and this is amazing to me.”