TEACHING new skills was the focus of a trip of a lifetime to Estonia for a Girlguiding member from Tavistock.

Charlotte Mellor, 21, was part of a team of young women from Girlguiding who worked with the Estonian Guide Association to develop a new leadership scheme.

The volunteering trip was organised through the Guiding Overseas Linked with Development (GOLD) scheme which sees Girlguiding members travel to different countries and work on projects which directly benefit the communities.

During her three weeks in Estonia, Charlotte, who was the trip leader, helped to develop a leadership training programme so more girls could be given opportunities through guiding.

Charlotte, who is a Rainbow and Brownie leader, said: ‘I challenged myself continuously throughout the project from organising the dates and the logistics to meeting the expectations the Estonian Guide Association had for us.

‘The best experience for me was when we ran the sessions with the leaders and the guides; it was obvious to see how much they took from each training session and how much they valued us coming to work with them.’

As well as her voluntary work, Charlotte also took on a 24-hour hike which involved cycling for 10 hours, canoeing for eight and walking for seven.

She said: ‘Completing the hike was the most amazing and incredible feeling, we were so proud of the challenges we overcame while on the hike and it brought us even closer together as a team, even if we couldn’t walk for days after.

‘GOLD is the most inspiring experience I have ever been lucky enough to be part of. I have met so many incredible women who have empowered me and made me feel that I am capable of anything.’

Girlguiding members have been making a difference in countries across the globe as part of GOLD since 1991, when the scheme was first introduced; they have undertaken diverse projects in countries such as Malawi, Honduras, Thailand, South Africa and Zambia.

Previous projects Girlguiding members have worked on include training girls and young women in team work in Ghana and teaching first aid skills in Malawi.

GOLD offers young women aged 18 to 30 the chance to develop their potential, improve their skills and make long-lasting positive difference in communities.

The scheme is one of many exciting opportunities available to members of Girlguiding’s senior section — open to all girls aged 14 to 25 — which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.

For more information on GOLD and how to join Girlguiding, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk

Charlotte Mellor, pictured third from right, is pictured with the rest of her Girlguiding group in Estonia.