Making a difference

The National Citizenship Service (NCS) scheme runs out of term-time and brings young people together to help them make a difference in their local community and enjoy residential activities.

The scheme also allows teenagers aged 15 to 17 years-old to gain extra UCAS points that will go towards their future university application.

In Rotherham, the students taking part have all come together at the New York Stadium to work together on a social action project.

One group of participants joined forces to organise a onesie fundraising walk from the stadium to Rother Valley Country Park.

Isabel Pickles (16), from Aston, said: “I wanted to get involved because it looked like a great project to make friends and develop social skills.”

Hannah Taylor (16), from Kiveton, said the project ran throughout January and it had been really fun.

Katie Robinson said she and the girls decided to organise the walk in their all-in-one pyjamas and raise money for Rotherham homelessness charity, Lighthouse Homes.

Isabel added: “Homelessness is a real issue in Rotherham, so we thought it would be beneficial to raise awareness.”

The 15 who took part raised £1,000 during the 10km walk, which the girls said would help towards renovating one of the charity’s hostels in Clifton.