218 young people from Doncaster have graduated after taking part in Club Doncaster’s summer National Citizen Service programme.
The programme is designed for students aged between 16 and 17 in Doncaster and helps build skills for work and life whilst taking on exciting adventures and challenges.
Young people from the local area took part in a series of thrilling and adrenaline activities such as rock climbing and canoeing before carrying out a social action plan to help the community.
Some of the social action plans included:
- Fundraising for Autism Plus - £94.25
- Fundraising for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice - £135.05
- 50 sheds were painted and decorated at Hexthorpe allotment.
- A group helped paint and decorate the entrance to the nursery at Doncaster School for the Deaf
- Young people volunteered at Sandrock House and Cantley Grange residential homes.
- A group of NCS students made an anti bullying video.
- Young people volunteered at Crookhill Golf Club.
- A group made an insect hotel at Hyde Park cemetery to preserve the wild life.
- Volunteers helped out at Bawtry Mayflower animal sanctuary.
- Young people volunteered at Cavy Corner guinea sanctuary.
The graduation to celebrate the success of the participants was held at Doncaster School for the Deaf, where graduates were treated to a meal and disco.
The highlight of the night came as graduates collected their NCS completion certificates signed by Prime Minister David Cameron. These were presented by local MP Rosie Winterton who recognised the achievements of all the young people involved.
NCS co-ordinator Jan Budtz said: “The Club Doncaster Foundation are delighted with the success of the programme, which continues to surpass all of our aims and expectations. Following on from an amazing 2013, participants this summer kept up with the high standards set by our graduates last year and should be proud of their efforts in all sections of NCS especially delivering their social action projects.“
Following the success of Nation Citizen Service over the summer, the programme is returning once again over the October half term holidays.
October will see the group split between Grinton Lodge in North Yorkshire and Lake Windermere in Cumbria and is destined to be a great success.
Jan Budtz added: "NCS offers a chance to be put outside the comfort zone, with activities that most people have never done before. It really is an amazing programme for young people in Doncaster aged between 16 and 17 who get taught key skills for life in, sports leadership, fundraising and first aid. It is also great for your CV, most employers look for people who have taken part in a programme like this, who have done team work and put in unique situations, so there is a huge deal in it for anyone who has signed up."
There are just 90 places available in October, with the last few places still up for grabs on a first come first served basis. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity.
For more information contact jan.budtz@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk
You can see pictures from the graduation and summer activities below: