Teens on NCS scheme spruce up areas for good causes

A COMMUNITY centre, care home and school were just a few of the places to receive a spruce-up from teenagers carrying out social action projects.
Children on the National Citizen Service helped out at the Madani Academy in Portsmouth. Team leader Hannah Daniels - in the front row, wearing pink - with the mural the children created						      Picture: Sarah Standing (161120-784)Children on the National Citizen Service helped out at the Madani Academy in Portsmouth. Team leader Hannah Daniels - in the front row, wearing pink - with the mural the children created						      Picture: Sarah Standing (161120-784)
Children on the National Citizen Service helped out at the Madani Academy in Portsmouth. Team leader Hannah Daniels - in the front row, wearing pink - with the mural the children created Picture: Sarah Standing (161120-784)

Groups across the country are taking part in the National Citizen Service scheme, which motivates teenagers to put their summer holidays to good use.

They take part in activities, before devising a social action project for a good cause they want to help, and then they raise the funds to pay for it.

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Yesterday, one of the groups was hard at work at the Madani Academy in Buckland.

Team leaders Louis Mack, left, and, right, Alia Jones with their team at Buckland Community Centre (161121-821)Team leaders Louis Mack, left, and, right, Alia Jones with their team at Buckland Community Centre (161121-821)
Team leaders Louis Mack, left, and, right, Alia Jones with their team at Buckland Community Centre (161121-821)

The teenagers picked the independent Islamic faith school after hearing reports of recent hate attacks. They spent all week gardening and tidying up the grounds, plus painting colourful murals for the library in an effort to break down barriers with the community.

Headteacher Luthfur Rahman spoke of his gratitude. ‘They are such energetic young people,’ he said.

‘They are wonderful and very creative. This is true community spirit.

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‘I would like to thank them for their efforts. The children will appreciate what they have done.’

From left, Ellen Humpleby, 16, Izzy Sambles, 16, Grace McCormick, 16 and Megan Hanson, 16 at Oakland Graneg care home 

Picture: Sarah Standing (161123-752)From left, Ellen Humpleby, 16, Izzy Sambles, 16, Grace McCormick, 16 and Megan Hanson, 16 at Oakland Graneg care home 

Picture: Sarah Standing (161123-752)
From left, Ellen Humpleby, 16, Izzy Sambles, 16, Grace McCormick, 16 and Megan Hanson, 16 at Oakland Graneg care home Picture: Sarah Standing (161123-752)

Elsewhere in Portsmouth, a group was redecorating Buckland Community Centre.

Eddie Salt, chairman of the community centre association, said they were thankful for the help.

He said: ‘They are good kids, they are helping the voluntary sector.

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‘We have to fight for every penny we get. They have come along and raised money to buy the equipment, as well as doing the work. It is a good project. I would recommend them anytime.’

Team leaders Louis Mack, left, and, right, Alia Jones with their team at Buckland Community Centre (161121-821)Team leaders Louis Mack, left, and, right, Alia Jones with their team at Buckland Community Centre (161121-821)
Team leaders Louis Mack, left, and, right, Alia Jones with their team at Buckland Community Centre (161121-821)

Other groups also taking part in the Portsmouth scheme, which is run by Pompey in the Community, were hard at work clearing the garden at Oakland Grange Care Home in Southsea and running a fete at Cosham Community Centre, in Wootton Street, to raise cash for Cosham charity help 4 Special Children.

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