Horncastle teenagers aim to give back to community

They are taking part in a National Citizen Service scheme (NCS) which is designed to help them put something positive back into their local community.

After a two-week residential course, which helped develop team-building skills, the teenagers, all aged between 15 and 17, were out and about in Horncastle last week.

They were raising money to help them renovate the town’s youth centre off Jubilee Way.

Their fundraising efforts included a day spent at Tesco, where they packed bags for customers and also ran a cake stall, pictured.

This week, they were hard at work with paintbrushes at the youth centre.

Rebecca Anthony, an NCS mentor, was full of praise for the group and said they were a delight to work with.

She added: “The NCS is a five-week course.

“Anyone who takes part completes a two-week residency, two weeks of special action and then the final week completing a community project, like the youth centre.

“It’s a great way for them to put something back into their community and gain some important life experience skills.

“When they’ve completed the course, it is something positive for them to put on their CVs – and perhaps applications for universities.”

Storm Jamieson (16), from Horncastle, said she was enjoying the scheme.

She has completed her studies at Banovallum School and will move to the sixth form at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in September.

She said: “I’ve learned a lot of new skills and met a lot of really nice people. It’s great.”

Town mayor Bill Aron was full of praise for the Horncastle group.

He said: “I think the NCS is a terrific idea.

“It keeps teenagers off the streets and gives them something to focus on.”

James Howard, checkout supervisor at Tesco, said the store was proud to support the NCS scheme.

He said: “It’s great to see the kids involved and they’ve worked really hard.

“It’s been a pleasure having them in store and highlights our links with the community.”