National Citizen Service piloted in East Riding

YOUNG PEOPLE in Beverley and Bridlington have been helping out in their communities as part of a Government pilot scheme.

The 15 and 16-year-olds, who have finished year 11 at school, have been volunteering and organising in a number of events throughout the summer holidays to make a difference to the area they live. They are working under the National Citizen Service (NCS), a national pilot scheme announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in February 2011.

The NCS is a flagship Government initiative, offering a fun but challenging voluntary, personal and social development programme for young people which will enable participants to become confident and socially active young adults. Piloting in summer 2011, it offers places for 15 to 16-year-olds at the end of school year 11.

The NCS in this area is run in conjunction with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and led by young people’s charity Catch22. It provides 15 and 16-year-olds with a voluntary, personal and social development programme throughout the summer holidays. Each participant will get a certificate signed by the Prime Minister and those completing the ASDAN Community Volunteering Qualification will earn themselves 30 UCAS points to help towards university.

The young people from Bridlington and Beverley who volunteered for the scheme have taken part in a course on team-building skills, have learned about their own local communities and have developed their own social action plans.

Young people in Beverley have taken part in a healthy lifestyle event at Beverley Leisure Centre, helped to create a sensory garden in Coronation Gardens after stray cows caused damage as well as volunteering at the Humberside Fire and Rescue open day at Beverley Fire Station.

In Bridlington, the young people have organised a sun awareness campaign in conjunction with Cancer Research UK and made UV bead bracelets to give away, they have organised a litter awareness campaign in conjunction with Keep Britain Tidy, which included beach cleans on the north and south beach. Both events have been supported by the Bridlington Lions and Christ Church Community Action Team.

Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I am so impressed by what these young people have achieved in their community. Young people have had a bad press after recent events in parts of the country and this proves that they should not all be labelled the same. It is a great example to demonstrate the hard-working and community minded children and young people we have in the East Riding.”

Kevin Allen, youth support service manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It shows that, given the chance, young people can make a real different to their local community. Activities of this sort certainly help to promote a more positive view of young people in their communities at a time when news items often feature a more negative one.”

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National Citizen Service for 16 year olds launched

THE NATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE has been launched by the Government. Involving tough physical challenges and community projects, it will aim to help 16-year-olds to learn new skills and develop the attitude needed to become active, responsible citizens.

The Service has been launched by twelve groups to 'pilot' ideas in different areas. Field Studies Council will provide some places for 16 year olds in Hull, while those in the East Riding have been directed to national providers, Catch 22 - although they have no projects listed in this area at the time of writing.

National Citizen Service will take place during the summer after school students finish Year 11. It will run for three weeks full-time, including two weeks away from home. After that, you’ll need to complete another 30 hours on a part-time basis.

Activities like mountaineering, canoeing and abseiling will be on offer, and the young citizens will get the opportunity to design and deliver their own community project to improve the area where they live.

David Cameron has helped launch the Service on Facebook. This is what he had to say:

"I want National Citizen Service to inspire you to realise what you can achieve. This summer you will be able to spend two months mixing with other young people, learning new skills, and putting something back into your community. NCS will be available to 11,000 people in 2011 and 30,000 in 2012. Over time I want all sixteen year olds to be able to take part."

The first pilot programmes will start in July after the end of GCSE examinations and will end in National Citizen Service graduation ceremonies attended by family and friends.

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