Twelve North East schools lauded for changing lives
North East teenagers led an awards ceremony this week, in which a dozen schools representing every local authority in the region were recognised for their outstanding work in changing lives through the youth movement National Citizen Service (NCS).
At the ceremony on Thursday (October 6), Emmanuel College was unveiled as the first ever Regional Ambassador School for NCS by Gateshead MP Ian Mearns, who also gave an upbeat keynote speech in which he highlighted the positive impact of NCS at a local level, on families in his constituency and beyond.
Ian Mearns MP said: “We’ve seen engagement in NCS at Emmanuel College go from strength to strength, which is why they’ve been selected for this prestigious status.”
Kim Smith, Contract Director of NCS North East, a partnership of vInspired, National Youth Agency (NYA) and twelve local delivery partners from the voluntary and community sector across the region, said: “In less than a year, young people from the North East have ploughed a staggering 147,000 volunteering hours in to good causes through NCS. That’s an economic contribution of just under £1million to the North East economy, based on the minimum wage.”
School leadership teams were joined at the NCS North East Schools Awards 2016 by decision makers from the education, youth and voluntary sectors – showcasing local commitment to maximising the benefits of the government-backed programme for young people in the North East.
Alongside Emmanuel College’s Regional Ambassador School Award, eleven other schools picked up NCS Star School Awards in recognition of their successes in empowering their pupils to take part in the life-changing scheme.
Held behind the scenes at Beamish Museum, scores of teenagers made the exclusive event a success by hosting, handing out awards and networking with influential guests.
NCS graduate Harriet Shaw, 19, compered the evening alongside Joe Johnson, 17, and said: “This really shows what NCS is all about. Young people making a real difference.”
Also speaking at the event were members of Team Brah, an award winning group of young people from Northumberland and Newcastle, who have continued their LGBTQ awareness-raising campaign since kick-starting the project on NCS in 2015.
Emma Ramshaw, an inspirational NCS team leader from North Tyneside, spoke movingly about how the programme had changed her life.
Picking up a gong were Apollo Studio Academy of County Durham, Carmel College of Darlington, Manor Community Academy of Hartlepool, Macmillan Academy of Middlesbrough, Newcastle High School for Girls, Churchill Community College of North Tyneside, The Blyth Academy of Northumberland, Laurence Jackson School of Redcar & Cleveland, Hebburn Comprehensive School of South Tyneside, Egglescliffe School of Stockton-on-Tees and Biddick Academy, Sunderland.
Jessica Taplin, CEO of vInspired, said: “A huge well done to the winners. They have all shown real commitment and have gone out of their way to ensure that as many of their pupils as possible have had a chance to take part.
“We look forward to continuing our work together to make sure that NCS continues to benefit local people and communities right across the region.”
Bookings are now open for the unmissable NCS experience, with parents or teenagers urged to call 0191 247 4020 or visit NCSNORTHEAST.co.uk
Teens booking now will be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to see NCS ambassador Jess Glynne live or Metro Radio and TFM’s Christmas Live pop party.