NCS Graduate named as National Youth Ambassador

NCS Graduate, Connor Burleigh from Doncaster has been recognised nationally for his work in the community.

Connor will today take his place amongst fifty inspirational youth ambassadors who will lead on a high profile national #iwill campaign aimed at encouraging young people to take an active part in their community. These remarkable 10-20 year olds hail from all walks of life and all four nations of the country…but they have one thing in common – a passion that drives them to help others.

Connor is an EFL Trust NCS Graduate who took part in the life-changing programme in the summer of 2018 with Club Doncaster Foundation. He has since gone on to make a huge difference in the community as part of Doncaster’s Youth Council for a number of years, he has also been awarded the Princess Diana Award for his work on anti-bullying in schools as well as renovating a playground for children with disabilities whilst on NCS.

Connor is also part of his regional NCS Youth Board where he is a voice for thousands of young adults across Yorkshire & Humber. He is one of eight new #iwill ambassadors to come from NCS and believes his experience on NCS has supported his passion to make change.

“Having already been involved in Doncaster’s Youth Council, NCS opened my eyes and gave me a better understanding of the community I live in.

“It was amazing to be given the platform to make a positive difference through my teams social action project at Rossington’s Family Hub where we renovated the playground for the use of children with disability.

“The role of an #iwill Amabassador is something I am hugely passionate about. Raising both the profile of young adults’ potential and also challenging the perception that people have of young adults my age is vital.”

“Stories like these demonstrate the difference any individual can make early on in life,” said Rania Marandos, CEO of Step Up to Serve, which coordinates the #iwill campaign. “Young people all across the UK are reaching out to members of their communities – peers, parents, teachers, youth workers – to create positive change together through campaigning, mentoring, fundraising or volunteering. Since 2013, #iwill has become a powerful cross-sector movement of over 1,000 organisations committed to transforming the role of young people in society.”

Director of Operations, EFL Trust, Mike Evans has said;

“Through NCS we know the potential of young adults and the positive impact they can make in the community if given the opportunity.

“We are delighted that Connor has been selected as an #iwill Ambassador. The EFL Trust are strong advocates of #iwill and have supported the campaign for a number of years. There is a synergy between NCS and #iwill and through both we want to ensure that young adults have the platform to make positive change in the community they grew up in.”

The new cohort of #iwill Ambassadors is being recognised at a special one-off event at The Great Hall, University of Birmingham. They will come together today to explore – with other young people, campaign partners and decision-makers – what more needs to be done to grow the power of young people to take action, have their voices heard and make a positive difference.