Youngsters plant power of positivity

Unfazed by the strange circumstances we find ourselves in at the minute, the youngsters taking part in the Foundation of Light’s NCS programme continue to do their bit to support the local community. The Autumn term kicked off last month and scores of youngsters have made up for the time they missed out on during lockdown by throwing themselves in to the project. Engaging their creative sides, youngsters worked together to devise plans for a variety of social action projects. One group chose to fundraise for Grace House, raising over £300 for the local respite facility, as well as lending their support through gardening and even planting apple and pear trees for the residents to enjoy for years to come. Elsewhere, another group collected food donations for the Salvation Army and then went the extra mile in delivering the parcels around the city to help those who are struggling due to the pandemic. The green-fingered members of the group decided to spread some cheer by planting flowers and donating them to local residents who are isolating at Gildacre Care Home. Craig Martin, the Foundation of Light’s NCS Manager, believes that despite the hurdles faced this year due to the impact of COVID-19, the youngsters involved have excelled, finding innovative ways to approach the scheme. “The programme has been a great success; the initiative shown by the youngsters has been a pleasure to watch and seeing them work through their social action projects, from setting and planning through to bringing it to life is great to see. “The feedback we’ve had from organisations they’ve worked with has been great too, they’ve not only been a credit to the Foundation and the local community, but to themselves too.” The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a voluntary personal and social development programme for 16–17-year olds, ran across England with support from the UK government and EFL. The programme gives teenagers the chance to gain a taste of independence and learn a variety of skills for their future, with the opportunity to deliver a social action project to raise awareness of or fundraise for a particular cause.