Member Article

Northumberland teens nominated for national volunteering award

A group of inspirational teenagers from Northumberland are hoping to be crowned NCS Social Action Stars of the year after being named as finalists in the prestigious award presented by Santander.

The 12-strong team of young people from across Northumberland, who call themselves ‘The A-Team’, beat hundreds of NCS youth social action projects from across England and Northern Ireland to be shortlisted as a finalist for their NCS project which aimed to break the stigma attached to mental health. Aside from raising over £200 for mental health charity Mind, the group created an online video for community paediatricians and clinicians, teaching packs for secondary schools in Northumberland, leaflets and wristbands.

The Social Action Star Awards is a unique chance to celebrate young people’s incredible achievements on NCS, the country’s flagship youth empowerment programme and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity open to 15-17 year olds across England. In 2016 alone, NCS participants dedicated more than 2.3 million hours to social action.

The A-Team, who took part in NCS with local delivery partner Northumberland County Council, now face four other finalists in a public vote closing at midnight on Tuesday 24 January 2017. The team, comprising Amy Laidler and Jess Laidler from Prudhoe; Euan Madill, Rachel Taws and James Richards from Cramlington; Jade Thompson, Thomas Angus and Dan Spratt from Seaton Deleval; Emily Armstrong and Sophia Yakoob from Stocksfield; Naomi Sloan from Haltwhistle and Sophie Plumeridge from Blaydon-on-Tyne, are hoping to secure the most votes to be crowned national champions.

The shortlisted finalists were judged by a high-profile panel including YouTube star, entrepreneur and NCS Patron, Jamal Edwards MBE; NCS CEO, Michael Lynas; Craig Baines, Divisional Change Manager, Santander, and last year’s Social Action Star winners, Team Brah, who are also from Northumberland.

A-Team member Sophie Plumeridge said: “Many of our team members have known people with a mental health issue and because of this, it was a very personal topic to all of us. We wanted to create a campaign aimed at younger people with information on how to overcome a mental health issue but also how to help others.“

The group’s team leader Emma Rudd said: “I’m incredibly proud that The A-Team have reached the final shortlist for the Social Action Star Award.

“Most of the group met for the first time through NCS and after creating lasting friendships during the outdoor adventure phase of NCS they put their attention to creating an inspiring social action project, which has received recognition from secondary schools across the county as well as local councillors and community paediatricians.

“I’m sure residents from Northumberland will get behind the team during the public vote.“

To vote for Northumberland’s The A-Team to be crowned winners of the NCS Social Action Star Award, search @ncsyes on Instagram and look out for instructions on voting for The A-Team. Voting closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 24th January.

The next NCS programme runs during the summer holidays. 15-17 year olds from Northumberland can choose from dates departing on July 16th, 20th, 24th, 31st or August 4th, 8th.

To find out more or to book a place on NCS call 0191 247 4020 or visit NCSNORTHEAST.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by NCS North East .