At 28, Charlotte Merrigan is younger than the usual volunteer.

Helping out at our Cwmdu store and warehouse since last September, Charlotte has tried her hand at a number of tasks.

She has been invaluable at the donation drop-off section, sorting through bric-a-brac, clothes, DVDs and games. She has also joined the team in the warehouse – sorting through donated stock.

For Charlotte, her shifts are carried out twice a week, but volunteering at Wales Air Ambulance is very flexible, and can be organised to suit people’s available hours.

Before joining the team at Cwmdu, Charlotte was at college, learning independent living skills.

The knowledge she has gained during her volunteering has been invaluable to giving her transferable skills. Managers will even offer a reference to volunteers seeking work.

But her tasks have also benefited Charlotte personally, she says: “When I was at college the teachers always used to say ‘volunteer – it will boost your career when you are ready to work.’

“Volunteering has been described as fulfilling, so I thought I would give it a go and see how it works out. I’m pleased to say it’s gone very well for me.”

One of the key advantages for Charlotte, though, is the wonderful friends she’s met. She said she gets on very well with all the team and her advice to any prospective volunteer is: “Give it a go!”