A YOUNG Coleford woman has returned from volunteering in Sri Lanka and India for two months.

Rosie Screen, 22, isn't new to the world of volunteering after spending six weeks in Ukraine three years ago and two weeks in Borneo in 2013 with her sister Cassie.

This time she not only worked to improve children's English language in India but helped at an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka where she looked after two elephants.

She said: "In India I have been volunteering with children improving their English. In Sri Lanka I volunteered at an elephant sanctuary where I helped look after two elephants who are free from chains and riding, trying to improve the welfare for these beautiful animals, and to educate the community around them. I also visited a disabled school and private English teaching school to help educate.

"I would really like to inspire others to go volunteering and travel like myself! I would also like to thank the Coleford town council for supporting me as they gave me a £200 children's grant which I applied for. This money was spent in Sri Lanka on several poor families which I met who couldn't afford educational materials and clothing for their children and also items for the disabled school. All of which was greatly appreciated and very rewarding for myself.

"I'm trying to find a job now with my Graphic Design degree to gain some skills and will continue to save up again.

"I would like to go back to Sri Lanka and the slums in India in 2016 and hopefully Ukraine to volunteer again with children and wildlife. I'm very proud of what I have achieved, saving hard, going off on my own helping these poor families and children in need of such things I probably take for granted at home or can easily come by, where these people can't. It's been such a rewarding experience."