Imagine You Can NCS Times Autumn 2014

4
Voice of the Community
NCS Graduation Night
By Grace Hughes
Just over a month ago, the
students for the Autumn 2014
NCS programme barely even
knew one another existed.
It wasn’t until we embarked
upon a residential trip to
Peat Rigg Outdoor Activity
Centre that we got to meet
and our NCS journey began.
We dealt with the awkward,
uncomfortable silences on
the bus journey together
for about half an hour until
personalities began to shine
through and friendships
developed. Rock-climbing,
archery and canoeing were
but a few of the activities,
which brought us together
both as a team and as friends.
Despite pushing ourselves to
the limits (both physically
and mentally), Peat Rigg was
probably one of the most
beneficial social experiences
of our lives so far. And this was
only the beginning….
Our next step in the journey
was at Macmillan Academy
where the friendships
continued to blossom and so
did the learning. Some groups
worked on media projects,
whereas others learned
about industry in our local
area. Finally, we each had
the opportunity to take part
in a social action project with
‘Earthbeat Theatre Company’
for learning disabled adults.
As volunteers, we worked
together as a team to help
the Earthbeat community to
clean up and paint their new
premises in Saltburn. After
our work at Earthbeat was
complete, we set our sights on
our final part of the journey:
the graduation.
One of the best parts of
the whole NCS experience
was the graduation itself.
Paintbrushes and boiler
suits had been replaced by
smart attire: everyone had
scrubbed up well for the
occasion. The evening began
with video footage of our past
weeks together - it proved
that having cameras in our
faces at every opportunity
was worth it in the end. We
laughed as all the memories
came flooding back from the
times we had all had together.
One of the main things that
we learned from NCS was
that by reaching out of our
comfort zone, we can achieve
the best experiences. We had
relied on each other, despite
not really knowing one
another and consequently
grew to trust each other no
matter what.
Next, we all had the ultimate
privilege of watching a
performance from members
of Earthbeat itself. Their
singing was very moving and
truly inspirational. They sang
a number of songs, but their
rendition of ‘Imagine’ left
not a dry eye in the house.
Not only was this a heartwarming
showcase but the
product of the hardworking
Earthbeat volunteers. It
brought a sense of joy and
accomplishment knowing that
the young people of NCS have
helped Earthbeat realise their
dream of bringing happiness
and a sense of purpose to
people’s lives.
After the wonderful
performance, we watched
intently as Earthbeat
manager Tony Galuidi spoke
about how our support has
impacted these people’s
lives. Not only did our help
to save on labour costs,
but also to create a clean
bright community space
for their charity. This was a
very special moment for our
group, knowing that we had
helped them to achieve their
dream of having their own
place to call ‘home’.
Our very own group
members; Ali, Tom, Harry,
Elliot and Will went on to
give a presentation on a
separate project which they
had taken on. The five of
them had been part of our
whole NCS experience but
had taken their part in the
social action project in a
different direction. They went
to local nursing homes and
listened to the stories of many
old people, who are often
overlooked and not given
much attention by young
people. The boys told us that
many of the old people were
thrilled to take themselves
back forty+ years to their
youth, (some stories lasting
around two hours!). By giving
their time to listen and chat
they were able to give back
to our community by bringing
happiness and helping people
feel valued.
As the evening drew to a
close, we were each invited to
go onto the stage to receive
the certificate we had all
worked hard for. One by one,
we walked up with thunderous
applause from our friends
and family: a proud moment
for all involved. But it wasn’t
about the certificate in the
end, it was more about the
experience we had each gone
through and the skills we
had learned throughout the
weeks of the course. In a final
speech, Alexandra Moylan-
Jones an NCS 2014 graduate,
who went on to the NCS
Leaders programme , told us
that NCS doesn’t stop now
but carries on throughout our
lives. And I believe that she’s
right. NCS isn’t only about
helping in your community
but it’s about you. It’s about
building self-confidence,
life skills and friendships.
Confidently, she told us, “A
few weeks ago I didn’t even
dare to put my hand up in
class, but now here I am stood
talking in front of you all”. As
the graduation ended, it was
all clear that the end of the
course was not the end of
friendships that had been
made, nor the end of the skills
or the good that we can bring
to our community: it was just
the beginning…