Months of nail-biting will be over on Thursday when Bradford's students finally receive their A-level results. But whether the grades put the world at your feet or turn it upside down, taking a year out and working in the community as a volunteer could be an option. Education reporter Lyn Barton looks at alternative ways of bridging the gap and talks to one Baildon teenager who is spending part of her year out helping a severely-disabled child.

While her friends are out clubbing or adjusting to university, Adele Holgate's whole life will revolve around a seven-year-old with muscular dystrophy.

It is a choice made and welcomed by the 18-year-old, who has put off starting her university course for a year to give the youngster's pregnant mum a vital helping hand.

Adele joined up with Community Service Volunteers, a charity which organises volunteer placements for people of all ages.

They found her a six-week stint living with a family in Northwood, Middlesex, where she will care for and befriend the young muscular dystrophy sufferer.

"It's quite scary in way, but I am looking forward to the challenge," says Adele. "I read about volunteering and decided to go to the CSV to see about what I could do.

"I was in Romania last year on a scheme to take children from orphanages camping. They looked at that and some other experience and matched me up with the placement."

A clutch of GNVQs and an A-level result due on Thursday have already secured her the promise of a place on a criminology course at Northumberland University.

She decided to put off going for a year and split the time volunteering for CSV and working to build up some capital for college.

When her stint in Middlesex is over, CSV are to find Adele, of Glenholm Road, Baildon, another placement, although she does not know where.

It is all invaluable experience, says Adele, who hopes to eventually work in the criminal justice system.

Prospective employers and tutors say volunteer work is worthwhile, but that was not the main reason Adele decided to sign on the dotted line.

"It was a factor that it would look good on my CV, but it wasn't the only reason because I thought I would get a lot of experience of life and learn to be independent.

"I think it's a really good idea for anyone else to do because it makes you what you are."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.