18 Sep NCS GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE THE SUMMER OF A LIFETIME!

Over the summer holiday, almost 200 young people aged 16 and 17 took part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme with the Huddersfield Town Foundation!

The number was split over three two-week ‘waves’, each comprising of a week-long residential visit and five days of workshops/social action.

Participants came from north Kirklees, with the Foundation’s catchment area covering Batley, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Mirfield and the surrounding areas.

The first group was the largest of them all, with the young people splitting between YHA Malham in Skipton and YHA Grinton Lodge in Richmond for their residential.

Activities were varied but included giant stand up paddleboarding, rock climbing, abseiling and caving – all aimed at encouraging teamwork while pushing everyone outside of their comfort zones.

The Residential week also included an enterprise challenge followed by workshops on independent living, community mapping and local democracy.

The second week was focused on social action projects in north Kirklees. Across the summer, our teams delivered impactful projects to support a variety of great causes, including support for Friends of Batley Station, redecorating Soothill Bowling Club and working with Howlands School.

All projects gave our participants the opportunity to connect with their local community and understand how they could impact their environment.

The two weeks were repeated twice more with residential weeks at different hostels – one in Ravenstor near Tideswell and the other in Eyam in the Hope Valley.

Over the six-week period the Foundation was delighted to be visited by two members of local authority!

Mark Eastwood, MP for Dewsbury spoke to two of the cohorts about his background growing up in Dewsbury, his role as MP, the importance of local politics and ways into the industry.

Tracy Brabin, who is the Mayor of West Yorkshire, visited Soothill Bowling Club in the final week. Youngsters spent the week upgrading the facilities there, including disposing of waste decorating the Clubhouse including creating a Club mural and giving everywhere a refresh.

Across the summer, all participants were provided with a week-long MCard to provide free bus travel in the area to help facilitate their social action delivery.

Participants will shortly undertake a graduation ceremony and receive a certificate for all of their efforts, having leraned skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

During term time Foundation staff will deliver two associated NCS programmes – Changemakers and Skills Boosters. Keep an eye on the website and social media channels for further updates!

Planning for Summer 2023 will soon begin. If your high school is in north Kirklees, we hope to see you soon!