Local MP, Justin Tomlinson, has praised students participating in this year's National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme, during a visit to New College.
NCS is aimed at 16 and 17 year olds and seeks to help them build their skills and give them a stake in their local community. The programme runs over 3 weeks and gives young people a wide range of experiences, building their confidence and developing vital team and personal skills. The time is spent participating in outdoor activities, drama & music whilst learning about the local community and concludes with planning a community project. This project the teams then work together to deliver. Last year over 50,000 young people took part in NCS and it is the Government's ambition that every 16 and 17 year old will have the opportunity to try it out.
Justin visited the students as part of a Dragons Den exercise to review their plans to support local charities. All four teams passed and will be working hard this week to support their respective local charities by fundraising through cake sales, car boots, bag packing, events at Riffs Bar and car washes.
The students will raise funds for Swindon Young Carers, Swindon Foodbank, the Harbour Project and Prospect Hospice.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "I am hugely impressed by the plans the students have to help their local community. National Citizen Service is a fantastic opportunity for young people to improve their confidence, skills and experience, putting them at a real advantage when it comes to applying for jobs. The teams from New College have really got stuck in, and I am confident their fundraising projects will be a huge success."
