A team of young people from Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge have been working to make a real difference to disadvantaged young people in their community.

They have been participating in the National Citizen Service (NCS), – a youth programme for 16-17 year olds, - with charity Catch22 in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

NCS encourages young people to take an active role in their local community by undertaking a social action project.

For their project, the young people, who named their team ‘The Village Elementals’, decided to support West Kent YMCA’s Ryder House which provides supported youth housing in Tunbridge Wells.

The teamset out to provide the residents of Ryder House with a Christmas stocking filled with lots of goodies to give them some festive cheer. They also donated food to a local food bank.

In order to raise money to buy stocking fillers and food the team of young people braved the elements to undertake a gruelling 13 mile sponsored walk through the Tunbridge Wells countryside in the pouring rain.

Through their amazing efforts they raised over £300 through personal sponsors and donations from the local community.

“NCS has been one of the best opportunities and experiences I have had so far. We work effectively as a team and use each other’s strengths to ensure that we worked to the best of our ability" - Amy Edwards

The success of their event helped to develop the confidence of every member of the team and inspired them on to ensure their project was a success.

The team were also delighted to receive excellent support from their community, receiving kind donations from local businesses and supermarkets, as well as generous donations of food from the public.

Receiving contributions from the community towards their project and the overwhelming support for their fundraising activity has proved a positive and beneficial experience, and has shown the group the significance of links within a community.

Amy Edwards, NCS participant, aged 16, said “NCS has been one of the best opportunities and experiences I have had so far. We work effectively as a team and use each other’s strengths to ensure that we worked to the best of our ability.

"It has helped me gain confidence in meeting new people and grow and develop as person. Knowing that my team mates and I have had a positive influence within a community that needed help is extremely rewarding.”

Katrina Gadsby, NCS Programme Coordinator at Catch 22, Kent, said: “I have been very impressed with the team’s efforts and how they embraced the ethos of socialaction; they identified an area of need in their local community and were inspired to help.

"They have worked hard to ensure that everyone in their community could enjoy a merry Christmas and no-one was left out. I have seen the positive effect that taking part in the NCS programme with Catch22 has had on each member of the team.

"It has been an absolute pleasure supporting them through their NCS experience! All of these amazing young people have been on a unique journey; they have all overcome their own challenges, have all achieved some amazing things and should be very proud of themselves.”