At long last, I've finally done some volunteering in school again. It's not been an ideal year for volunteering, to be honest. But I do plan to get back on track.

I really enjoyed delivering a 'motivational speech' at the launch of the 2009 Jaguar Social Enterprise Challenge in Nuneaton. On the way to the school I was stuck in traffic jams and listening to radio phone-ins of 'rip off Britain'. You get fed up of bad news and negativity. There's so much good stuff that goes on unreported. Including the work of hospices and the support of schools and the local Mayor. Everyone pulling together to do something worthwhile for a good cause.

I was most impressed by the girls who presented to their peers on their winning entry last year. In total, more than £5k was raised for the hospice by competing kids. I'm looking forward to seeing what they manage this year. And especially how they innovate and integrate their ted into the challenge!

Debs