We’ve been focusing on a different volunteer each day. Today we’re featuring a volunteer who is completely new to the Trust.
Today’s volunteer: Louise Scott
⛵ Q: How long have you been a volunteer with OYTS?
A: I learnt about the OYT from a friend on Instagram and immediately made enquiries about volunteering at the end of 2019. I filled in the forms, paid my subs and was all fired up to go on my induction weekend in April. I’m now waiting patiently for this to be over when I can come to meet everyone!
⛵ Q: Proudest or most memorable sailing moment?
A: I wanted to sail all my life but it never happened for one reason or another, until a year ago when I found I had an ’empty nest’ and a little money and time for myself! I did a weekend on a tall ship, then started social sailing at Gourock Yacht club. What I always suspected became the truth – I love being in a boat and on the water.
⛵ Q: What is your favourite part of being a volunteer with OYT Scotland?
A: I dont have my proudest moment yet but I do know that the youth of this country are in dire need of something they can enjoy and feel valued at; both as a team and for themselves as individuals.
From my limited experience of living on a boat for a weekend and then a week around Skye there’s nothing comparable to learning to work as a team; support and encourage the weakest members, relax the stressed members, keep a lid on the biscuit tin without causing offence and go for days without sleep or placing a pillow over your cabin mates snoring nose! I have 2 kids (now happily in their twenties) and although their teen years were a trial at times I now find I miss their exuberance, emotional outbursts (good and bad) and watching them grow to become adults.
⛵ Q: If you were a boat, what kind of boat would you be?
A: A Lifeboat. As a single mum you pretty much have to be all things to all people, able to move fast, be adaptable and able to get out of tricky situations with all the style you can muster!