Member Article

'Unstoppable' Morpeth volunteer features in national campaign

An ‘Unstoppable’ Morpeth teenager has been chosen to star in a national advertising campaign for National Citizen Service (NCS) - a government backed programme for young people which aims to build a more cohesive, mobile and engaged society.

Josh Burton, 17, who took part in NCS last summer, was invited to star in the campaign to inspire more 16-17 year olds to sign up to NCS – a four week programme that includes outdoor team-building exercises, a residential for participants to learn ‘life skills’ and a community-based social action project to give something back to where they live.

The King Edward VI School student shot scenes for a volunteering segment – something Josh is especially keen about.

Josh said: “I got involved in voluntary work because I like helping people. I want to give people the opportunities and make their life happier.

“NCS made me realise that we, as a community, need to work together in order to help become something better. Volunteering does make us feel unstoppable.

“I like making people laugh and smile and it just makes me feel like I’m making a difference to the world.”

Josh continued: “Taking part in the filming for the Unstoppable campaign was an experience I’ll never forget! It gave me an opportunity to really express myself and succinctly explain what I was able to achieve through NCS.

“Not only did I meet so many new and supportive people, but the programme also helped me to become more confident and engaged in my community. I had a lot of fun filming for the advert and really hope it inspires other young people to sign up and enjoy NCS the way I did.”

Almost 400,000 young people have completed the NCS programme to date, giving up an incredible 11.7 million hours to social action projects.

Laura Henderson, Northumberland recruitment coordinator at NCS North East, said: “While everyone gets something different from their NCS experience, we find the vast majority of grads, their parents and guardians, talk about one characteristic in particular; confidence.

“NCS gives you the confidence to face any obstacle in life, and smash through it. It makes you feel unstoppable. The summer 2018 campaign celebrates and champions this unstoppable feeling, encouraging young people to sign up to NCS by showcasing our grads’ amazing, funny, kick-ass, moving, awesome moments of unstoppability.

“It was great to see Josh take part in our Unstoppable campaign and we hope his story will inspire more young people to join the NCS experience. In Northumberland places are now extremely limited so I’d urge young people to sign up before it’s too late.” NCS is open to 16 and 17 year olds, with various departure dates available in July and August. Places cost just £50 (£10 for those eligible for free school meals), which includes adventure and university-style residential stays, transport, food, training, activities and more!

To find out more, search ‘NCS’ or call 0191 247 4020.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by NCS North East .