TEENS taking part in the National Citizenship Service (NCS) were busy raising money for charity and making their community a better place to live.
Starting from Inspira in Carlisle, the group of 16 and 17-year-olds were out walking in the city raising money for their chosen charity – Hospice at Home – while another group was busy litter picking in Bitts Park and Tribe.
The NCS is described as a voluntary personal and social development programme for teenagers in England and Northern Ireland, mostly funded by the Government.
It was formed in 2011 and takes place during the school holidays.
Groups of teens go on a residential trip – usually to an activity centre – and learn team-building and outdoor skills.
After this, they get a taste of independence, typically by living in student halls at a nearby university campus.
Then, they plan and deliver a social action project in their local community, often to raise awareness of or fundraise for a particular cause.
The walkers started from Hospice at Home’s base in Carlisle, walking to the Lanes and then Bitts Park, doing a loop.
Henry Stevenson, 17, who was in the group, said: “It’s been very good.
“We have raised about £300 altogether.”
Nick Celino and Becky Best, the team leader and area coordinator for North Cumbria respectively, were overseeing the litter pickers who were in Bitts Park.
Nick said: “We have started off at Carlisle College and we have cleaned up all along the way to Bitts Park, tidying the pavement.”
He works as an educator full-time but enjoys doing youth work like this, and in his spare time is a singer and musical artist.
Becky said this litter pick could show people that teens aren’t all bad: “Especially with the bad press that young people and teenagers get, we wanted to show people that they’re helping their community.
“They’re all doing this on their own!
The teens were wearing capes courtesy of Kath’s Curtains, a business in Carlisle, and used litter pickers courtesy of Carlisle College.
Cedar Vincze, 16, who was litter picking and was responsible for the group’s media, said: “We called up companies to try and get coverage, and we’ve also set up our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
“It’s been really hot but thankfully we’ve been in the shade for most of it.
“It’s been really good of Carlisle College and Kath’s Curtains to help.”
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