I worked as a volunteer Performance Coach for Youth at Risk’s ‘Coaching for Success’ Programme, designed to improve both academic and non- academic achievements of 14 to 16 year olds.

As a Performance Coach I was first required to undertake two full days coaching skills training. This equipped me with the skills needed to support five pupils at Norwood School for a period of six months, over the spring and summer term.

The main focus of my role was to help the pupils attain the educational or personal goals they had set themselves, through behavioural and attitudinal change, in individual fortnightly coaching sessions during school hours.

I was able to make use of the volunteering leave offered by the Royal Household to participate in this programme. It has been hugely rewarding and the impact of my contribution has been visible in the young people I was given the opportunity to work with.

In addition, I have been able to further develop my coaching skills, which are transferable to other areas of my life, including my role as a Personnel Officer at the Royal Household.