30 teenagers from Hull that have taken part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) with Tigers Trust have been labelled ‘godsends’ by a local homeless charity, Hull Homeless Community Project (HHCP).
The group aged 15-17 only met each whilst taking part in NCS this Summer but have already developed strong friendships. The group decided to plan and deliver a project to support HHCP. They have been busy both fundraising and raising awareness of the charity which has involved bag packing, bakes sales and receiving kind donations from Tesco’s. The groups focus was to make a difference to children in temporary accommodation and the funds raised went into redeveloping their garden, as well as buying toys and putting on a teddy bears picnic for children and families. Courtney Mai Lill & Ryan Hairsine who are part of the group said:
“Our time on NCS was amazing, it enabled us to meet new people who are brilliant and this creates a sense of community within the youth and that’s what our team wanted to replicate within our social action project, hence why we picked HHCP to help the Homeless and make them feel a part of society. We thought by renovating the garden and doing a teddy bears picnic would provided them with actual memories and fun. The care packages were to give them something they didn’t have access to which has had impact on their people’s lives. It was very rewarding!”
HHCP has a great relationship with NCS and Tigers Trust that goes back to 2016 when to they first became a registered charity. Andrew Smith, founder of the HHCP is grateful for the impact the teens have calling them ‘Godsends’:
“Working with NCS and Tigers Trust since 2016 had been an incredible and welcomed addition to the work we do to support all persons affected by homelessness and poverty across out region. The support we receive each year from the staff team and the graduates has without a doubt helped us grow as an organisation, provide more varied support to our beneficiaries and increased our capacity to further reach more people in need.
Youth social action is not just a benefit to local communities, it is a key component of the fabric of community responsibility, without NCS the many local charities and community groups who benefit would struggle to find this level of support elsewhere.
This year we have, again, been impressed and humbled by the enthusiasm, dedication and kindness of all the graduates. A community is only as good as the people in it, the teams this year have shown that our community can be extra special when it counts. The impact had this year already to our families and children has brought tears of joy and laughter to all our eyes here at HHCP. Now we can’t imagine a summer without NCS”
This is just one of many charities that teenagers in Hull are supporting this Summer through NCS.
