With the NCS Autumn programme fast approaching we are taking a look back at the various social actions projects undertaken during the Summer 2020 course.
As part of the NCS programme the Leeds United Foundation help to deliver a range of ‘Keep Doing Good’ projects that involves working with local charities and communities to help support initiatives, raise awareness or assist with fundraising where necessary.
The NCS White Team met with St Vincent’s Support Centre towards the end of Summer to try and identify how they could offer their support after the local charity and its residents had been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
St Vincent’s is based in East Leeds and is dedicated to changing lives through advice, support and education. The organisation offers a range of services under one roof, whether it is advice on debt for those struggling financially, educational workshops, community support, social networks, counselling, group sessions or migrant support - which is all provided free of charge.
With huge amounts of donations being sent into the local depot to help support vulnerable members of the local community, the youngsters were asked to volunteer their time to help with organising donations, creating care packages for families and getting items ready for delivery. To help raise awareness for the charity, the group of young people also took on a sponsored 10k walk around Leeds which resulted in them raising over £100 to be spent on essential items for struggling individuals and families.
A representative from St Vincent’s Support Centre, said: “The group of youngsters from the NCS White Team worked really well together and we were really appreciative of them volunteering, they were a huge asset to us getting things done when people were maybe nervous about volunteering, especially in a new environment.”
The relationship the Foundation has now created with St Vincent’s has meant that they will continue to work with the charity for future NCS courses, with some of the young people from the White Team taking it upon themselves to continue volunteering in their own time, outside of the programme.
If you would like more information about the NCS programme, please contact [email protected].