NCS Teens Raise Funds For Local Mental Health Charity
Sixteen young people who participated in National Citizen Service (NCS) during June have volunteered 500 hours raising almost £100 for local charity, Harrogate Mind.
The group of teens, aged 15-17, were able to volunteer having signed up to doing NCS this summer with Harrogate Town Community Trust. NCS provides young people with the chance to take on new challenges, experience exciting activities, make long-lasting friendships and develop vital skills that will support them later in life.
The group named Moving Minds, hosted a wide range of activities & workshops, primarily motivated to improve the mental health of younger people who may be suffering as a consequence of the global pandemic.
“As a team, we felt because of Covid-19, young people have really struggled with their mental health and may not have exercised a lot, so we wanted to help.” Explained Alex, one of the group members.
Admirably, the group instigated a number of events promoting physical activity to highlight how exercise can benefit not only young people’s physical, but mental wellbeing.
“We decided we wanted our Social Action Project to help raise awareness of Mental Health and Wellbeing. We decided to run sports sessions with the younger year groups, alongside mental health workshops; to show them the positive impact of exercise on Mental Health”.
Through their social action project initiative & planning of those involved, the group collectively managed to raise £96 which they have since intend to donated to their local Mind charity in Harrogate.
“Over lunches, we held ‘Beat the keeper’ competitions to raise money to donate to Harrogate Mind, raising £96.”
Alex was rightly proud of what they had achieved during their involvement with the Summer programme facilitated by NCS delivery partner Harrogate Town AFC.
“I have really enjoyed my NCS experience, I did not know what to expect but I have done things I have never done before. We got to do a lot and make a difference to people.”
Harrogate Town Community Trust are part of EFL Trust’s network of NCS delivery partners who, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, are supporting thousands of young people through NCS this summer.
