THIS month the Year of the Volunteer focuses on young volunteers. Reporter Jenna Towler talks to Kate Neaves who helps children.

VOLUNTEERING with ten year olds who need a confidence boost is not only rew-arding and challenging, it's downright fun, says 21-year-old Kate Neaves.

Kate, who lives in Downley, volunteers at the Pyramid Trust, an organisation set up to give youngsters with low confidence the chance to grow and develop with just a little bit of help.

She has been giving up her time at the Trust for a year- and-a-half and loves every minute of it.

Kate said: "I get to act like a kid again. The really cool thing is I get to run around being stupid. Acting like a nine-year-old again is fun."

Children are recommended to the ten week scheme by their teachers who have recognised their quietness or lack of social interaction.

They come to the volunteers quiet and shy but leave as noisy as any ten-year-old should be.

Kate said: "In the first week they are just so quiet.

"By the end we just cannot shut them up."

Volunteers at the scheme are proud to have helped the children to make friends.

The scheme has been successful at King's Wood and Castlefield schools.

"I get to see them progress and get positive feedback from the teachers," Kate said.

Activities at the Pyramid Trust include arts and crafts, cooking and lots of play with other children, all helping their confidence to grow and their personalities to develop further.

If you are interested in volunteering contact your local volunteer bureau Wycombe on 01494 451700 or Chilterns and South Bucks on 01494 793470