Barnsley's Young People participate in the National Citizen Service (NCS)

NCS is a space where young people can become world ready and work ready, and raise their voice to make a positive difference together. Where they can explore who they are and who they want to be, with no fear of judgement or failure.

Where they can step out and step up, and get a taste of independence on their own terms. A space for everyone to feel at home, no matter where they’re from. To connect with other like-minds, learn new skills, make an impact in their community and better their employability.

NCS lets them say ‘No We Can’.

I asked Josie What NCS meant to her.

…’So NCS stands for national citizen service and it runs all across the country in summer, for 16-17 year olds. It’s led by adults and the aim is to get the youth new skills, new friends, make memories, make a difference and prepare them for adult life. The first stage is a residential, and we did ours at a scout camp. I went there only sort of knowing one person out of a group of eleven and I made firm friends quick and we are all now best friends, who couldn’t imagine things without each other. Last week was our residential and we did all the usual axe throwing, team building and high rope activities. Then we did workshops on public speaking, marketing and crime. We left on Friday and came back for our social action stage which is this week. (w/c 18^th July 2022) Over the weekend, our group forged well ahead over any others by building media presence and fundraising and now we’re well ahead. The point of this week is to raise money and awareness for a cause that you are passionate about, and there are currently thousands of groups like mine all over the country raising money for things they care about too. It’s a brilliant programme that inspires so much change and action to be done and really helps the youth of today as well as those who we in turn volunteer on behalf of. Our group came up with the ideas, marketing, strategies, media and contacts all by ourselves, and our team leaders are simply there for support if we need it’….

What is your project this year?

…’We aim to raise money, and with that money we’re going to create hampers filled with sanitary and hygiene products, as well as luxury items and information on contraception and wellbeing. These hampers will then be donated to local women’s shelters, homeless shelters, community shelters and well-being businesses. 

Our time frame for this is to deliver the hampers on Thursday …...our budget that we need to raise for the hampers is estimated to be around £360.

We intend to host a fundraising day on Tuesday…..This issue is very close to our hearts as period poverty affects so many through Barnsley as it is an impoverished area.

How did the project go?

https://fb.watch/ep423Zqaep/

Well hopefully you've been able to watch the videos

All the hampers filled with sanitary and hygiene products were distributed to the YMCA, Centre point and women's sheltered living.

Well done Team Salutary (NCS)