Multi-faith Teens Unite Through National Citizen Service
An inspirational group of 70 young people of all faiths and none have spent the summer devising, planning and delivering social action projects as part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) Programme.
Their achievements were recognised this week in a jam-packed Graduation Ceremony with over 250 attendees. The participants presented their projects to their parents, charity representatives and community guests including Lord and Lady Levy, Matt Hudson, Head of NCS Programme at the Cabinet Office, and head teachers from faith schools. Each participant received a certificate signed by Prime Minister Theresa May, in recognition of their fantastic contribution to society.
During the programme the interfaith group visited a number of charities and businesses to inspire them to create their own creative and innovative concepts to bring awareness to a variety of charities and causes. Participants took their ideas to a tough panel of judges in a Dragon’s Den style pitch, bidding for up to £1,000 to support their projects. Having successfully secured funding, the teens' ideas came to life. Projects included fundraising to give disadvantaged young people opportunities to get into sport and creating an information and social network for young adults with mental health problems.
The Photography Team, named ‘Through the Lens’ by the teens, was led by Krish Jeyakumar and following a visit to charity Crisis they came away with a new perspective on homelessness and decided that they wanted to change the stereotypical perspectives people might have toward the homeless by giving them a voice through writing postcards. They took to the streets of London to take photographs that they then turned into postcards with the hashtag #throughthelens. The team also put together 50 care packages with everyday essentials such as wet wipes, toothbrushes, water, toothpaste, deodorant and sanitary towels that Crisis will distribute to the homeless.
Through The Lens Young Team Member, Rebecca Levy said;
“For me the highlight was giving the packages to Crisis because then we know that they are going directly to people in need. When we left Crisis we all said that we actually feel really good about having given something back to the community. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do that through the NCS powered by JLGB programme. As a team we really want to continue supporting Crisis by volunteering for them again at Christmas.”
Through The Lens Team Leader, Krish Jeyakumar said;
“Through The Lens have been a thought provoking, energetic, inspiring group to work with. I never thought I’d learn so much after leaving higher education. Becoming a Team Leader was the best decision I made all summer, working through NCS has enabled me to combat my own fears and work on my own skills whilst mentoring young adults to do the same.”
Ricky Kaplan, JLGB’s Residential Manager said;
“It has been fantastic to watch this group of multi-faith young people go on a journey together, starting from a point of not knowing each other and ending by working as a group to deliver projects that positively impact the wider community, and have the potential to continue to do so for years to come.”
Young people about to go into school years 11 and 12 can register their interest today for next year’s NCS Powered by JLGB 2017 Programme by visiting www.jlgb.org/ncs or calling 020 8989 5743.
For all Press Enquiries, please contact Ellie Pendred on ellie.pendred@jlgb.org
