NCS students raise funds for charity with a bakeoff

UKSA, the charity and maritime training centre, has been celebrating the success of the 125 young people who took part in their NCS programme over the summer holidays.

At a graduation ceremony held at Thorness Bay Holiday Park, near Cowes, the young people aged between 15 and 17 were congratulated on their hard work in raising £5000 for local charities and good causes.

During the three-week NCS summer activity programme delivered by UKSA, the youngsters completed social action projects, raising awareness and running events to support the following charities:

  • The Mountbatten Hospice
  • The Final Straw 
  • Surfers Against Sewage
  • Cherry Trees Care Home
  • Old Charlston House Care Home
  • The Salvation Army
  • Layla’s Trust
  • The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
  • Animal Welfare IOW

Along with the charitable work undertaken, the young people were given the opportunity to get out of the classroom and into the great outdoors, discovering talents and making life-long friends. The three-week NCS summer activity programme is specifically designed for teenagers to try something totally different after a busy school year of course work, revision and exams.

UKSA’s CEO Ben Willows says: “The NCS programme fits perfectly with UKSA as it’s an extension of the type of work we already do with young people, easing that all-important transition from their school days to working life. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for them to have a greater awareness of their local community, actively raising funds and awareness of these deserving charities.”

The NCS programme is made up of three phases over three weeks: a week-long residential stay at Calshot Activities Centre; a further week-long residential stay at UKSA and this is then followed by a non-residential week at UKSA. Due to government funding the cost of the programme is only £50 for the duration of the three weeks, with the total value of the programme being in the region of £1500.

The focus for each of the weeks varies in order to enrich the experience for the youngsters as much as possible. Week one is based around adventurous activities, week two is based around skills and personal development and week three is focused on social action.

Will Satterley, Education Manager at UKSA, adds: “The benefits of the programme are almost immeasurable as our NCS programme offers young people experience living away from home, the chance to learn something different in a new environment and the chance to meet new people. Over the course of the programme they overcame challenges, pushed themselves into new and exciting territories and made friends for life.”

Willows concludes: “It’s great to see the young people grow in confidence and improve their teamwork and leadership skills over the course of the three-weeks. We are delighted that seven of the young people from this summer’s NCS will be joining us at UKSA on Further Education courses in September.”

For more information about NCS on the Isle of Wight, please contact Ash on NCS@uksa.org or call 01983 301901

 

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