Member Article

Durham teens praised in parliament for inspiring project

A group of inspired teenagers from across the east Durham area have received praise in parliament following a volunteering project they carried out in 2015.

The team of fifteen were taking part in National Citizen Service (NCS), the country’s flagship youth empowerment programme, and created neonatal packs for parents at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital as part of a community project that they organised.

At the time, group member Rianna Massingham-Beale said: “From personal experience I know that the premature baby is everyone’s focus while the baby is in the unit, but that means the parents have such little time for themselves.“

Rianna had herself experienced neonatal care following the early birth of one of her siblings.

The group raised £550 through various fundraising efforts in order to make the neonatal packs, which included toiletries and food parcels.

Speaking in parliament during the reading of the National Citizen Service Bill, Karen Bradley MP, secretary for culture, media and sport, said: “Although the (NCS) programme is for young people, it is not only the young who benefit from it.

“For example, NCS participants have prepared and distributed care packages to the parents of premature babies in east Durham.“

In the North East, NCS is delivered by a partnership of V•Inspired and National Youth Agency (NYA), who work with a number of local delivery partners, including East Durham College.

Places are now available for the summer 2017 NCS programme. 16-17 year olds in County Durham can take part on 3rd, 7th, 11th, 17th, 21st, 24th, 31st July or 10th August.

The programme includes a week of adventure in the Scottish borders or North Yorkshire with fun activities such as canoeing and rock climbing, a chance to meet new people and enjoy fun and freedom after the stresses of GCSE exams.

Next, teens will spend a further week in a uni-style environment where they’ll develop life skills like confidence, leadership and communication, all helping to boost CVs or UCAS personal statements.

Working with their team, they’ll then put new skills into practice by delivering a community project which makes a real impact to the local area.

NCS is government-backed which means places cost just £50. Young people in receipt of free school meals are eligible for a bursary.

To book a place, visit NCSNORTHEAST.co.uk or call 0191 247 4020.

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