A hearing doctor says she wants to inspire young people to volunteer and help others in developing countries.

Bhavisha Parmar, of Waverley Road, Rayners Lane, took part in a volunteering project in India with development charity Raleigh International for three months at the end of last year.

Now back in the UK, the 24-year-old wants to spread the word about the benefits of volunteering to teenagers in schools and her own community.

She said: “After spending three months helping people, I want to let young people know that this is an option for them and they can go somewhere and really make a difference.

“I got so much out of it and learnt a lot. What was important to me was helping people learn the basics of health and first aid.

“When we first got there I was out of my comfort zone but after three months I feel it was really worth it and I think we helped the people there.

“My main aim is to continue volunteering but in my own community and that’s why I want to spread the word about this programme and the importance of helping others in general.”

During the three-month trip Ms Parmar and nine other volunteers held health camps with hospitals and doctors, work with children and young people to teach them about health and hygiene.

She worked in the villages of Karnataka in the south of the country and worked with farmers to help them grow more nutritious foods.

The trip was organised with the help of the International Citizens Service, which is funded by the UK government’s Department for International Development.

The programme includes six charities which work together to fight poverty in the developing world.

Ms Parmar, who works at Northwick Park Hospital, is already planning her next trip to India and possibly a trip to Kenya to volunteer in her chosen medical field.