I recently met with young people from across the constituency taking part in the National Citizenship Service program.

National Citizenship Service is an opportunity for young people aged 16 and 17 to learn new skills, meet new people and make a difference in our community. I met them as they were in the process of planning their social action projects, working hard to design and deliver a volunteer project which would have a real impact, working with other community groups. We talked about how they had chosen local charities to support such as Zoe’s Place and Jenson’s Twinkle stars, and how they wanted to help them.

There were over 50 young people from St Helens taking part, and it was interesting to speak to them about how they got involved, and what they wanted to achieve through the NCS, as it provides a real opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities, enhance their CVs and future prospects. Through the NCS, young people can feel more equipped to tackle issues, become more involved in the community, are more confident about finding a job.

If you think it’s right for you or a young person you know and want to learn more, please visit www.ncsthechallenge.org.