TEENAGERS from Bromsgrove and Redditch are helping to make a difference to the lives of the homeless as part of a national summer youth programme.
The group, of 16 and 17-year-olds, spent the summer giving back to the community after learning new skills on the National Citizen Service (NCS) youth project.
The team of 14 made and delivered food packs and revamped communal spaces for the charities St Basils and New Starts having only met for the first time just three weeks ago to create their very own social action project using the skills they developed on the programme.
Bromsgrove 16-year-old, Alfie Webb, said: “I made new friends and had experiences that I will never forget.
“One of my highlights was creating our social action project which involved helping all people feel safe and valued. It was amazing to be able to see the project through and realise the huge difference we can make if we put our minds to it – the sense of achievement at the end when we got together and made a more welcoming space for youth that were facing homelessness need it the most was something I’d never experienced before and it really bonded the group. I’d definitely encourage other young people to give it a go.”
Jasmin Islam, senior mentor, said: “The project for homelessness is just one of the amazing projects the young people came up with on this summer’s programmes. They demonstrated a huge amount of passion and determination to support their local community and making a difference.
“The programme isn’t just about transforming the community – parents are stunned by the difference it’s made to their children and can’t stop singing its praises.”
The group raised over £500 for the charities when they took part in a sponsored fancy dress walk last month.
