Volunteers’ Week | Kayla Nelson and Grace Patterson
Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club’s Kayla Nelson and Grace Patterson, though still very young, have a wealth of volunteering experience between them. The ambitions of the club volunteers highlight the continued bright future for gymnastics in Scotland.
Inspirational
Kayla has been involved in gymnastics for most of her life.
“I started gymnastics at 18-months-old in pre-school classes at Annan Leisure Centre. When I started primary school, I moved up to recreational classes until the age of seven. I then joined Solway Gymnastics Club. I was at the Solway for three years before joining Dumfries Y at the age of 10 in their floor and vault section.”
Inspired by her lifelong involvement, Kayla wanted to instil a similar passion for gymnastics in others.
“I wanted to become more involved within the club. This led me to start my volunteering at the age of 12. I currently volunteer weekly, helping with the development group. I started doing this as I had always had a passion for gymnastics and wanted to continue to help younger gymnasts feel the way I do about it.”
Grace’s gymnastics journey began when she was six.
“I started gymnastics at Eastriggs Primary School at a recreational level until the age of ten when I joined the competitive floor and vault squad at Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club.”
Supportive
Although she has now stopped competing as a gymnast, Grace continues to volunteer at the club. Sharing Kayla’s passion to be a role model for younger gymnasts. Grace said:
“My motivation to become a volunteer was that when I was a gymnast I always looked up to the coaches and helpers at the club and I want to also be someone that younger gymnasts can look up to.”
Between them, Kayla and Grace have 800 hours on their Saltire Awards. These incredible efforts have not gone unnoticed by their club. Grace said:
“Currently I have almost 300 saltire hours and was chosen as Young Volunteer of the Year 2023.
“Through volunteering I have been able to create a positive relationship with the gymnasts and hope they see me as a role model. My goal is to get to 500 saltire hours, gain my level 1 qualification and become a fully qualified gymnastics coach.”
Aspirational
Kayla said:
“I had achieved 300 hours of volunteering by September 2022 leading me to receive Volunteer of the Year. I now completed 500 hours on my Saltire Awards and continue to volunteer weekly at Dumfries Y and occasionally at Annan Y.
My goals are to keep volunteering until I gain my level 1 coaching when I turn 16 then continue to achieve further coaching qualifications and learn more about the sport. Eventually I would like to become a coach at Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club and then see where my gymnastics coaching career goes from there.”
Discussing the benefits of volunteering, Kayla said, “Volunteering builds your confidence through speaking to a variety of different people. I also learn a lot through the coaching team, building my confidence to help with supporting skills.”
If you are feeling inspired by Kayla and Grace’s journey, you can find information on how to get involved in volunteering with Scottish Gymnastics below. You can also find great resources on the volunteers’ week website.