Young people in the Macclesfield area are once again taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme, and MP David Rutley recently met with a local NCS group to support their participation in the initiative.
The twenty eight young people taking part in the scheme (most of whom attend Fallibroome Academy, Tytherington High School, and All Hallows Catholic College) were in the third stage of their NCS journey.
Entitled ‘social action’ it sees them tasked with designing and delivering a volunteering project that makes an impact within their community.
The group chose to focus on the subject of young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, working with Cheshire East-based charity Visyon.
David spoke with the participants at Macclesfield Town Football Club’s Moss Rose Stadium, where the course is being run, and was impressed by their innovative and thoughtful project.
The young people highlighted the benefits of taking part in NCS: from boosting their self-confidence and gaining new skills, to earning valuable UCAS points, which help with university applications.
The afternoon concluded with a question and answer session, in which David explained more about his work as an MP.
Open to any young people aged between the ages of 15 and 17, and run mainly during the summer holidays, NCS helps young people to give something back to their community whilst learning valuable new skills and making new friends at the same time.
There are three stages to the programme:
- adventure (when participants take part in challenging outdoor activities designed to build teamwork)
- discovery (when participants live away from home to develop independence)
- social action (when participants design and deliver a volunteer project that makes an impact in their community)
The scheme is followed by a celebration where those taking part can look back at what they have achieved during their course.
There are a number of workshops running in Macclesfield throughout the summer, and any local young people interested can contact NCS directly through its website: www.ncsingeus.co.uk/contact-us or by phoning 0121 386 6910.
Speaking after the event, David said: “It was great to meet with the young people taking part in the this exciting and fulfilling programme and to learn more about their impressive and well thought-through social action project.
“It was clear that participating in the initiative has boosted their self-confidence and strengthened their sense of community pride and spirit.
“I wish all the local young people taking part in this important programme well, and hope yet more young people in and around Macclesfield will be inspired to get involved in the future.”
