Three Lakes College students have recently been awarded with certificates for successfully completing the NCS programme in August.
The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a government backed programme managed and delivered by Inspira in Cumbria. The programme was established in 2011 to tackle three key social issues; social cohesion, social engagement and social mobility.
It is a unique two to three week full-time programme, taking place in the Autumn, Spring and the Summer holidays and is focused around fun and discovery, as part of a community project that benefits both young people and society.
Becky Nicholson, Alex Richardson and Bethany Taylor are all studying for a certificate in further skills for further learning at Lakes College and excelled in the August NCS programme.
The overall aim of the government backed programme, is for participants to build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and adventures, making new friends, and contributing to their community.
The students took part in a variety of activities including hiking to the top of Latrigg, excelling on a climbing wall, adventure tree top rails at the Calva Trust site, a trip to Keswick Pencil Museum, a treasure trail and walking through a copper mine. Along with activities in the local area like a visit to the fire station were the students were tasked with getting a ball from one end of the fire station to the other just using piping, in which they exceeded all expectations.
Alex Richardson commented on her time on NCS: “I really enjoyed my time away, rock climbing was my favourite task and when I managed to hit the bell at the top of the ceiling I felt scared but very happy.”
Sue Lamb and Abby Finley from Inspira presented the students with certificates for their fantastic achievement. Sue Lamb (Deputy Area Manager for Inspira) was full of praise for the students “the girls took on every challenge even if they weren’t comfortable doing certain aspects of the programme, we are all very proud of them for learning new skills and integrating with new people that they didn’t know beforehand.”
Some of the students parents also attended to see what their children achieved over their time and to join in with the celebrations. Patricia Richardson (Alex’s mother) proudly stated: “We were very pleased with the opportunities given and this was clearly a very inclusive activity for young people of all abilities. Safeguarding is of concern for us but this event gave us no concerns at all.”
Claire Shakespeare (Learning Support Assistant at Lakes College) commented: I am so proud of Alex, Becky and Beth for challenging themselves to take part in the NCS event. They all had an amazing time and developed an increased self confidence. The students continue to strive to reach their full potential in their academic course at Lakes College and they are a joy to work with, so a much deserved well done from myself.”
