Blossoming scheme produces successful Social Action projects
To date the whole of 2017 has been a fun year for Carlisle United’s Community Sports Trust National Citizen Service Programme.The programme has grown in both strength and size from our very first year in 2013. Last year’s spring, summer and autumn cohorts were all fully subscribed and proved to be successful, and all the young people appeared to love every minute of their NCS experience. For many of the students involved it was quite a journey! I would like to congratulate all of those involved.
The ability of young people to surprise me with their humour, commitment, openness, kindness, resilience and enthusiasm is truly inspiring. From the sense of achievement they get by climbing up a rock face to falling in a lake of freezing chilly water with a smile on their faces, nothing makes me prouder.
To see these young people conquer their fears and successfully deliver their social action plan ... it has been a real privilege to be part of the NCS programme.
My message to everyone who said “Yes to NCS” last year, and indeed this – you are amazing. Keep learning, exploring, growing, laughing, but also challenge yourself as much as you can. You have seen what you are capable of. Take what NCS has given you and be the best person you can be.
As a local provider, the NCS has mixed the elements of fun, discovery, challenge, but also built confidence and prepared the young people involved for their journey into adulthood.
The Social Action projects delivered by the young people from Caldew School and other establishments have been exceptional. It has been great to see the Year 11 and 12 students working alongside a range of organisations in their local community to make a major impact.
Through arduous work and planning you have raised money for local causes, rejuvenated local parks and hospices held sports and community days to bring the community closer together. Pleasingly the young people have delivered lasting projects in partnership with Eden Valley Hospice, Yewdale Community Centre, The Eden Rivers Trust and most recently Carlisle Key.
Congratulations to all our National Citizen Service Graduates in 2016 and 2017 you have been truly inspirational – well done!
John Sander - NCS Coordinator ... john.sanderncs@carlisleunited.co.uk
