Happy December readers! This month we’re joined by Vicki Metcalf, an old friend of Amy Burns. Read on...!

Hi Vicki, thanks for doing this.
You’re very welcome :-)

So as we've never met, why don't you start by telling me and the g:mag readers a bit about yourself?!
Well, I'm 28 & I live in South London. I spent 7/8years working as a Youth Worker and am now a Citizenship Teacher at a Secondary School near Heathrow Airport.

And how do you know Amy Burns?
Ha!!! Amy and I went to school together, but we didn't start hanging out until Year 11. We had a music class together where we discovered that we had mutual friends through church. We’ve been firm pals ever since!

She's told me that you gave up your Christmas a few years ago to serve God?
Yes, I was lucky enough to spend two Christmases in Chennai, Southern India, working on a project for the YMCA.

What exactly did you do?
I worked in two orphanages, one with 200 boys and one with 30. We helped build facilities that they could then rent out to earn some income. We also worked with the boys, finalising in a big Christmas expedition to the hills where we ran holiday programmes.

Sounds fantastic! What made you decide to spend your Christmas in this way?
Fluke really, I agreed to it without really thinking it through!

Oh ok! How did you find it then?!
Well my first experience was so amazing I had to go back! The boys taught me so much. It’s actually quite selfish - I loved going because I gained so much from the people I met there. I would love to go back and am searching for something just as interesting to do.

Didn’t you miss your typical Christmas?
No, not at all, I now actually miss being away! I always try to do something a bit different at Christmas now. I have an amazing family who are always there for me and Christmas is such a special time. I hate to think of anyone being miserable.

So what are you doing this year?
I'm working in my local pub serving Christmas dinners to people who wouldn't have one otherwise. Christmas doesn't feel quite right if I’m just at home!

Pretty sure I know the answer to this question, but would you recommend others do the same?!
Definitely! As a teacher I would love to get as many young people as possible to go on that type of trip. You learn so much about yourself and the world around you - it has really changed my outlook on the world.

Is Christmas the time when charities are in most need of volunteers?
Well many get lots of offers for help around Christmas, but often struggle for volunteers for the rest of the year. So I would actually just recommend getting involved in some form of volunteering.

Where can people find out about volunteering opportunities if this is something they are interested in?
The Guides & Scouts and ‘V’ are excellent ways to find local volunteering placements near you. It’s incredibly rewarding. I run my local Brownie pack & a local Youth Club. They are truly the best things I do - they are so much fun & I get to meet so many amazing people.

Thanks Vicki! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for challenging me (and others, I’m sure) to be open to giving up my cosy Christmas round the fire!
It’s been a pleasure :-)

Happy Christmas then readers! Hope you enjoyed hearing from Vicki and are inspired to do something different. I’ll see you again in the new year.