Tayla Wright. Photo supplied.For 17-year-old Tayla Wright, experiencing first-hand the benefits of a local youth programme has led to five years of volunteering.

When Tayla first moved to Ashburton and attended the physical training programme CACTUS (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support), she wanted to be able to give back for all the opportunities and new skills it had given her.

Now she is a peer support leader on the programme where she helps supervise the participants, works alongside them encouraging them to reach their goals, offers support, and joins in activities. “I have been offered various opportunities throughout my time volunteering with CACTUS,” she said.

“It has given me the opportunity to learn a lot of new skills like organisation, leadership, communication, the ability to work with a variety of people and being able to have a better understanding of their different backgrounds and cultures.”

She has also gained her Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and is working towards a Gold award.

Keeping a balance between school, home and volunteering has been important to Tayla from the outset.

She said she makes sure she plans in advance how much time she can contribute so she can still focus on other areas of her life.

“The most rewarding thing for me about my work with CACTUS would definitely be seeing how much of a difference you can make by just giving the kids a chance and getting involved with the activities they are doing,” she said.

“It is very rewarding to see how the kids develop and change throughout the eight-week course, and the new skills and connections they make.

“It’s also nice to see all of the youth I have worked with around the community when they approach me and let me know how they are doing.”

Tayla said that once she finishes school she plans to attend university where she will study law and criminal justice with the aim of becoming a lawyer.

“I would love to still volunteer as it has become a big passion of mine which I would like to continue on with in my future,’ she said

© The Ashburton Guardian - 1 May 2017