Public sector interviews – examples from voluntary roles

Quick question for any public servants out there. When it comes to interviews for jobs, and examples of competencies/experience etc, say related to financial management/people etc, is experiences in voluntary roles such as involvement in sports clubs/management companies taken seriously?
Are the above legitimate examples? Or are they scoffed at? I have heard it mentioned by one public servant that they are considered, but in reality would ‘professional’ experiences hold more sway.
Also, when it comes to promotional campaigns. Do candidates ever skip a grade CO to HEO or EO to AP, or again is this unheard of? Would you be considered to be a bit cheeky to apply for a role more than a grade away?