Teenagers can go in at the deep end
A scheme that gives young people the chance to try outdoor pursuits and become involved in community projects has been launched in Newark and Sherwood.
The National Citizen Service project, aimed at 16 and 17-year-olds, was started by the Government three years ago to help teenagers learn skills for work and life, along with giving them a sense of purpose and belonging in their community.
Projects have been set up across the country. Programme manager Mr Ralph Tonge said it was already successful in Mansfield, Bassetlaw and Nottingham and it was felt there was a need in the Newark area.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has been asked to organise the scheme in partnership with New College Nottingham.
Other organisations involved include Newark College, secondary and special schools, youth services and charities, including Positive Futures based at Hawtonville Community Centre and Newark Emmaus Trust, which helps young homeless people.
The scheme has been backed by the council’s leisure and environment committee.
Chairman Mr Tony Roberts said it would provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and every young person should think about signing up.
“The experience will be immense and, for some, life-changing,” he said.
“We will be doing everything possible to ensure we get the message to our young people and encourage them to take part.”
There is a charge of £20 for the spring and autumn courses, which have a shorter residential element, and £40 for the summer courses. The Government contributes more than £1,200 for each person who takes part.
Newark MP Mr Patrick Mercer and Sherwood MP Mr Mark Spencer have both asked to be kept informed about the programme.
Mr Mercer said: “The programme is exactly what Newark needs for its young people. I look forward to seeing it in action.”
The scheme is a three-part programme that takes place during school holidays.
There is an outdoor-bound element with a residential stay in the Peak District or Staffordshire Moorlands.
Those taking part have the chance to try challenges such as abseiling, canoeing, rock climbing, zip-lining and caving.
There are hands-on workshops where young people work with local businesses and charities to develop skills that will help their careers.
Teenagers work as a team to organise a community project based on a charity or an idea of their choice — from fundraising for a local charity or setting up a new project to working on the refurbishment of a building such as a community centre.
Project manager Mr Ralph Tonge said the scheme provided the opportunity to learn skills that could not be taught in the classroom.
“It does work and it does change people’s lives,” he said.
Each course involves 15 people. The first will start on April 9 and others will be held over the summer holidays and in the autumn.
The Easter and autumn courses consist of four days of outdoor challenges, three days of skills-building workshops and 30 hours of work on a community project.
The summer courses include five days of challenges, five days of workshops and two weeks of community project work.
It is hoped that almost 200 teenagers will take part in the scheme in the Newark and Sherwood area this year. If successful the scheme could continue next year.
Letters have been sent to qualifiying people in the district. There have been presentations at secondary schools and events such as apprenticeship fairs.
Young people must complete all parts of the programme to graduate and receive certificates, signed by the Prime Minister, at a graduation party.
To register an interest visit www.ncsnottsder by.co.uk or email ncs@ncn.ac.uk or call 0115 838 0300.
More than 80 people in Newark and Sherwood have expressed an interest in the project.
One of the first to sign up was Isobel Bruce, 16, of Dunholme Avenue, Newark.
She is a pupil at The Newark Academy and said she became interested after a presentation at the school.
Isobel said: “I like the idea of being able to meet new people and I enjoy outdoor activities.”
She has asked to take part in one of the four-week schemes in the summer holidays, once she has completed her GCSE examinations.
“It will be good to have something like that to do during the holidays and it is useful to have on your CV,” Isobel said.
“I think it will be fun and it is something that is worthwhile too.”
Her mother, Mrs Julie Bruce, said she was pleased Isobel was taking part.
“It is an excellent opportunity,” she said. “I am impressed with the organisation and the cost. It will be money well-spent.”