A youth worker from Swaffham is swapping Norfolk for India as part of a life-changing volunteer scheme.

A youth worker from Swaffham is swapping Norfolk for India as part of a life-changing volunteer scheme.

Sam Mummery, 22, is joining 40 charity workers flying to the Himachal Pradesh province, in Northern India, to help improve conditions in their poorer communities.

The programme is planned by work abroad organisation Platform 2 and will begin on October 16 .

Miss Mummery said that being accepted onto the scheme was an exciting moment because she had always taken pride in working for the Children Service Youth Work Team in Swaffham.

She said: 'I have been working at the Swaffham Community Centre with the youngsters for a while now and using my skills abroad is something I have always wanted to do.

'I just hope that I can make a difference and have some fun at the same time.'

Platform 2 is a charitable partnership made up of the Bunac work abroad scheme and the Christian Aid charity.

Their work helps developing countries by funding UK volunteers to travel to remote areas and educate communities.

As well as teaching in schools, workers also help with family planning, sanitation, HIV awareness, and women's rights.

Miss Mummery added: 'I have never been on a plane before and the flight to India is 10 hours.

'I will also have to buy new clothes in order to fit in with the dress code for women in India.

'But the project plans you for the culture shock with pre-departure days in London and induction days in India as well.'