National Citizen Service Volunteers Make a Real Difference in Community

Enterprising students at The Sixth Form College have raised hundreds of pounds for good causes in the Wirral region after taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS).

The Alzheimer’s Society, a project working with homeless people in Wirral and an appeal to help a little boy with a muscle wasting condition were among the charities boosted by the fund-raising initiatives undertaken by a group of 16 of our students.

One of the many volunteering opportunities on offer through our Enrichment Programme, the NCS is an initiative to help young people build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and meeting new friends. Run regionally by Youth Fed and Ingeous, NCS brings together young people from different background and helps them develop greater confidence, self-awareness and responsibility. It encourages personal and social development by working on skills like leadership, teamwork and communication.

Participants develop a social action project to deal with a local issue they’re passionate about and spend 30 hours putting the project into action in their community.

The Sixth Form College students’ efforts included a drive to help purchase a special hydrotherapy bath for Wirral youngster William Magee, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive, aggressive muscular wasting condition.

The NCS were back in college this week, signing up new Sixth Form College volunteers before the summer holidays begin, given the major success last time around..

Representing the NCS in their visit to the college, Chris Marchant, said: “Sixth Form College students always have a strong showing in our projects and we’re hoping this time is no different.”

Chris, who was joined by colleague Megan Mardell, continued: “Our volunteers have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and receive training. Afterwards, they’ll take away their NCS certificates signed by the Prime Minister but they can receive a number of other official qualifications, like first aid, for example. There are so many transferrable and interpersonal, social skills that can be added, and they can make a real difference in the community.”

Victoria Head, Operations Director of Changing Young Lives at Youth Fed, said: “It’s fantastic that so many young people are keen to take part in NCS and we really appreciate the support we are getting from The Sixth Form College in Birkenhead.

“Young people tell us they get so much out of NCS and we are encouraged that the numbers of teenagers signing up to take part are on the increase.”

Principal of the Sixth Form College, Kathryn Podmore, said that the college has been actively recruiting students to take part in the scheme, due to the nature of the NCS’s work:

“The Sixth Form College in Birkenhead places great focus on leadership and community ethos alongside academic achievements. The National Citizen Service programme combines all of these attributes and we are delighted that our students are keen to participate in it.”