Mims Davies MP joined a group of inspirational young people who gave up part of their summer holiday to make a difference in their community.
The MP for Mid Sussex met the young participants at Burgess Hill during the final week of their local NCS programme, which is run by Concordia, following the culmination of their social action projects.
During her visit, she spent time with the young people to find out more about their NCS experience, and staff to hear more about working and supporting local young people.
The young people told Ms Davies about the social action projects they had planned and researched to raise funds and awareness for the British Heart Foundation. They asked questions and interacted with the MP who gave valuable feedback and insights into their project plans which included a family fun day in the park with a raffle using prizes donated by local shops, bag packing in a supermarket and sponsored loop walk around Burgess Hill town centre. Ms Davies also answered questions from the group during a lively Q&A session covering a range of topics from fuel prices to the environment and climate change.
By the end of the week, as well as learning valuable life skills, the enterprising group of NCS teens through their fundraising activities had raised £264 for the British Heart Foundation.
Ella Gordon, 16, an NCS participant with Concordia, said: " We felt well-prepared coming into this week as we had sessions like political engagement last week so I knew who I had to contact in different organisations, like the council for example."
Starling Summers, Team leader with Concordia, said: “Witnessing my group come together in the last week has been very inspiring; their confidence has improved and they have achieved things they never thought they would such as battling fear of heights through to contacting business over the phone. The visit from their MP Ms Davies will definitely help them complete their project and achieve more than they thought they could.”
Mims Davies, MP for Mix Sussex, said: “I was very pleased to attend the NCS Social Action pitch in Burgess Hill, to hear how young people in Team McKraken decided upon and organised their fundraising activities and to question and talk to them about their exciting fundraising project. Their presentation was confidently delivered and well researched. I wish them all the best with their fundraising activities for the British Heart Foundation, a fabulous charity who will benefit so much by their brilliant effort.”
To date, young people taking part in NCS have delivered more than 15 million hours of community action.
There are places available for 16-17 year olds to take part in the autumn half-term. To book your place now, visit wearencs.com/autumn.