National Citizen Service (NCS) 2011 - the first Summer of Fun
When most people might expect teenagers to be relaxing in the summer holiday sun after their GCSE’s, sixty young people from across Essex instead volunteered to join the National Citizen Service programme. Delivered by youth charity Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, in partnership with Catch22, the project was part of a government pilot which saw 7,000 young people across the UK do something positive in their communities this summer.
"An adventurous baptism of fire"
Touted by the government as ‘The Summer of a Lifetime’, this turned out to be more than just fun. Starting with a week away in the Lake District for groups of young people who didn’t know each other, this was a whole set of new experiences. From hiking up mountains and abseiling down cliffs, to climbing waterfalls and sleeping in ‘bivvy bags’ amongst swarms of highland midges, this was no walk in the park. Those first few evenings of setting up camp got the four teams talking, giggling and bonding ready for the long days ahead, where they helped each other up mountains and across rivers. Working with experienced mountain leaders, youth workers and volunteers from Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, the group learned more about themselves and each other than they ever expected.
"A week at Stubbers"
Where the first week was an adventurous baptism of fire, the second week was full of more activity. Camping at Stubbers, the 130-acre adventure centre in Upminster, Essex, the groups overcame fears of water, heights and the dark as they built rafts, scaled the climbing wall and high ropes, and tunnelled underground. They attended training sessions too, on first aid and drug awareness, as well as discovering the work done by Guide Dogs for the Blind and the opportunity to work towards a trek to Nepal with Essex Boys & Girls Clubs. Over the course of the week they planned how they would make a difference...
"Teams of Teens Spruce Up their Communities"
The Volunteer Projects and Social Action plans were what these teams had been working towards. Having planned, researched and organised how they wanted to make a difference in their communities, each of the groups spent week three making it happen. One group were concerned about the environment and headed down to Grays Beach to clean it up, as well as bringing new life to a community walled garden by tidying it up and planting fruit trees, making them both safer and more attractive places to visit. The other two teams were both interested in helping people in the community. One gave Cardfields Environmental Centre in Hatfield Peverel a garden makeover and refurbished the BMX track, while the other group met and chatted with the elderly residents of Collins House Care Home and spruced up the staff room at Heatherbrook Care Home in Romford for the hardworking staff.
"Honoured by the Queen's representative"
So, last night, Monday 3rd October, the groups of young people and their proud families came together with project staff, volunteers and partner agencies to celebrate their achievement at Thurrock Civic Chambers. Three of the teenagers - Jessica Douglas, Cissy Chhoi and Elizabeth Babalola - spoke about their experiences, enthusiastically and with confidence, to a packed room full of buzz and positivity. The High Sheriff of Essex – Lady Ruggles-Brise DL – presented everyone with certificates of achievement, and thanked them on behalf of the Queen for volunteering their time to do such good work in their communities.
This was a fantastic example of young people getting involved in their community and making a difference. All who took part in this ‘summer of a lifetime’ have developed new skills and created great memories that will help them on their journey through life.
Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, delivering in partnership with Catch22, is proud to be part of this journey and we look forward to next year’s National Citizen Service Programme.
