What an unbelievable Summer NCS we have had at the Community Trust.
Following on from a successful 1st programme with Park Academy ,we welcomed 54 new young people who started their programme in late July by heading up to Rock UK in the Scottish Borders. Whilst there, they were involved in a full week of activities such as: Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Mountain biking and much much more. In addition, the week was a great opportunity to meet new people and discuss what they were achieving.
For week two we ventured to the University of Cumbria in Lancaster to live like students, cooking and cleaning for themselves. They also took part in a number of workshops ,arranged by the Community Trust, connecting with local businesses such as Activ8 Self Defence and Wingz school of dance. This enabled the young people to push their boundaries and comfort zones in a different way to week one.
We then got to week three and the opportunity for the young people to use their new found skills and confidence to plan and deliver social action projects which are aimed at helping the local community. The groups decided they wanted to focus their efforts to a number of local organisations. Group 1 opted for Brian House Children’s Hospice by raising awareness and funds through a tombola at our Community Hub in the Houndshill. Group 2 ran a marathon around Bloomfield Road pitch and volunteered their time in the gardens at Donnas Dream House. Group 3 did a collection of toys for Donnas Dream House, a central pier to south pier beach clean and a sleep out to raise funds and awareness for Streetlife. Finally, Group 4 dedicated their time to help two local hospices, they got donations to make care packages to give out as well as playing games of bingo.
The NCS came to a close with a celebration event where the young people looked back at their programme whilst receiving their NCS certificate. Following this all the young people were treated to a day at the Pleasure Beach as a thankyou for their hard work from the Community Trust.
Katy Hooton, Social Inclusion Officer, said, “Our Summer main wave 2019 saw a number of individuals come on to the programme not knowing a single person. By attending numerous keep warm events before the programme even started and then having completed the whole three week programme, it was great to see so many individuals leave having really opened up and come out of their shells as well as having made life long friends.”
For more information on NCS or any of our provision please follow us on social media or call 01253 348 691.
