Published: 30th October 2019
The National Citizen Service with Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, based at The Zone in Huddersfield. Took on the challenge of planning an international experience for a group of young people who graduated from the scheme in 2018.
The young people worked over the course of 6 months to raise funds of £16,000, this involved, bag packing, random acts of kindness, car washing and the prestigious race night. Huddersfield Giants Cheerleading squad also got involved to support by raising funds through a bucket collection at one of the matches. The trip was in partnership with Adventure for Students a local organisation designed to give an international volunteering experience to strengthen skill set and employability for young people.
The NCS graduates spent 15 days of there summer in South Africa. Working with a local orphanage in East London named Greensleeves. Every day was actioned packed from, leading English and maths lessons, to renovating homes and the orphanage. They even got to leave their own legacy, by transforming an old, ruined boat into a safe space for children to play.
Anna Dominski graduate spoke ‘The replenishment consisted of putting the boat into a dug-up patch of ground for stability, using various materials to strengthen the structure and decorate the boat. Once we established that is was safe for everyone to use, we then decided to add our own little touches by personalising the decoration of the sides’.
To continue the experience the group then got a once in a life time opportunity to explore the sites of South Africa. This involved multiple visits to the beach, supporting the South African surfing championships final, and to practice the skills of surfing for themselves.
Tom Gorge quoted ‘Visiting South Africa allowed us to participate in a safari tour, one of the best experiences of my life, to see the animals in their natural habitat, was an unforgettable moment’.
The National Citizen Service with HGCT, is immensely proud of all the hard work the young people achieved. The project allows young people extended opportunities from 4-week (summer) and 10 days (autumn) schemes. This group are such an inspiration and have definitely created a platform for future international programs with the Trust.
‘Quote NCS Manager Katy Stockdale ‘At first it seemed quite ambitious but with the hard work of all the students, and their dedication to making it a success, it definitely paid off. Allowing young people this opportunity was incredibly rewarding to see, Well done all’.
