Posted: 13/10/16
High Sheriff praises teens for scheme success
Almost 170 teenagers stepped up to the stage last week to be applauded for taking part in what is being described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" project.
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NCS has brought many opportunities and news skills to teenagers in the region
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Just some of the students who celebrated their NCS achievements
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Friends and family celebrated with the graduates at both ceremonies
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NCS graduates let their hair down at their special event
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New friendships were made on the projects
Two glittering ceremonies were held at Center Parcs on Wednesday and Thursday (5 and 6 October) to celebrate their involvement in the National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme, which is designed to support young people in their transition to adulthood through residential projects and community-based fundraising activities.
The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Judy Naake, presented the young people with certificates of achievement for their hard work and contribution to the NCS scheme, led by West Nottinghamshire College.
The NCS is a government-led initiative which provides activities such as residential projects, outdoor physical challenges like orienteering and walking in the Derbyshire Peaks, taking part in sporting games and raising money for charities through group-led activities.
The groups of young people got involved in raft-building and canoeing as well as bush craft skills and hiking in the Derbyshire Peaks.
For their social action projects, which play a part in the programme, one group was involved in creating a sensory garden for residents of a local care home.
Another group set up a scheme to help the homeless by encouraging coffee shops in Worksop to take part in the ‘deferred coffee scheme’. The scheme allows customers to buy a coffee and opt to purchase another coffee token. The tokens are placed in a jar and are available to those in need to pick a token and enjoy a coffee.
Project leader for NCS at West Nottinghamshire College, Nigel Oldham, said: “Everyone who took part in the NCS put in so much effort, showed lots of enthusiasm and developed a whole wealth of skills.
“New friendships were forged, hurdles were overcome and there was such a sense of enjoyment throughout all the groups.
“Once again we’ve been overwhelmed with just how much these young people have used their initiative to not only help one another, but to help those less fortunate in their communities.”
