Summer Step graduates celebrate their team achievements, and weeks of inspiration and learning.

For the past two months, 16 and 17 year olds across South and East London have taken part in Summer Step, a National Citizen Service (NCS) programme, which is a flagship government initiative.

Inspiring young people

The young people have been on a 6 week programme taking on fresh challenges, learning new skills, meeting new people, having fun and making a difference in their community. The first week was a residential based outward bound adventure at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. This was followed by another week long residential at Woodcraft Folk in Surrey, focusing on life skills.

In the final part of the programme, working in teams and with continued support from Global Action Plan and Camelot, participants designed social action projects. Using the skills they have developed during Summer Step, each group has delivered a unique project to make a positive impact in their community.

Summer Step achievements

The five groups and their projects created are: 

• Redefining YOUth - An event at Spitalfields Farm for young people in East London  to learn new skills including cooking, gardening, sports and street art
• Envirofashion - A fashion show modelling clothes from charity shops and vintage home-made outfits
• Team R.A.I.N.B.O.W - A community lunch bringing together different diverse cultures across East London and celebrating differences
• Generation Integration - Bringing together younger and older generations at The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, South London to share and discuss climate change
• Routes to employment - A video presentation for young people to help them go into further education or employment

The thing I have learnt most is how to manage the group, how to be a leader and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without Summer Step. Shanice Modeste, Summer Step Graduate

Camelot support

Camelot, the operator of the UK National Lottery were the leading corporate sponsor for Summer Step, providing resources and the experience of some of its staff to help enhance the young people’s journey through the programme.

As part of their valuable support and demonstrating their commitment to creating opportunities for 16-25 year olds, Camelot have also committed to offering one of the Summer Step graduates a full-time job in their Central London offices.

It was great to be involved with helping these young people try to make a difference in their communities, with great ideas such as football tournaments and running workshops for other young people. Sarah Currie, Graduate Executive Brand Activation Team, Camelot

Summer Step celebrates

On Tuesday 29th August, Summer Step participants were invited to a graduation event in Central London to celebrate the completion of the programme, receive their certificates and share their experiences. As part of the event, George "The Poet" Mpanga , a 21 year old from North-West London talked to the audience about his journey growing up and how programmes like NCS Summer Step can help young people realise their dreams. Steering Group members of Global Action Plan’s Greenprint 2020 programme also spoke about their vision for a more sustainable future.

Up to 30,000 young people across England will have the opportunity to benefit from NCS, which is now it its second pilot year. For information on the scheme, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/ncs or www.facebook.com/ncs

Watch the video below to find out more about Summer Step.

 

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