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Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Sixteen Bolton School students proudly "graduated" at a
ceremony held at Bolton Victoria Hall and hosted by the Lads
and Girls' Club on 19 October to mark their completion of the
National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme. This new initiative
supports the Government's vision for building a Big Society and was
open to Year 11 pupils over the summer holidays. It offered
pupils the chance to learn some new skills and to make a real
difference to their community or an issue which they care about
whilst meeting new people.
Over a period of three one- week blocks, including two
weeks away from home, and 30 hours of service on a part-time basis
the students undertook exciting outdoor activities and designed and
delivered their own project in the local community.
Bolton was one of 12 pilot areas outside London to take
part in the NCS scheme and the Lads and Girls' Club
oversaw 235 Year 11 pupils who took part in the
project.
Olivia Davidson, now in the Sixth Form at Bolton School,
made it on to the Oxfam website after she inspired an Oxfam worker
as she worked on an Oxfam stall at Bolton's Big Weekend
Event. Livvy, as she likes be known, said: "We planned a
really cool Oxfam tent which got people painting, sticking and
eating so that they could learn more about world hunger as part of
Oxfam's Grow Campaign." The group with which she worked had
also managed to publicise the event through Bolton FM. She
went on to say: "It's been really good doing this - at the
beginning I was worried we would be treated like babies - but
they've really worked with us so that we can make our own decisions
and plan our own things and it's really been fun. I would
definitely carry on doing stuff with Oxfam. Doing this work
has shown me how important it is for someone to do something to
change the world!"
Adam Woolley spent a week at Patterdale Hall, Bolton School's
Outdoor Pursuits Centre, bonding with his group through gorge
walking and other exciting activities. The group then spent a
week in the Halls of Residence at the University of Bolton, the
highlight of which was a Come Dine With Me challenge which saw them
preparing a three course meal for 20 people. His social
action project also saw his group utilising the Bolton's Big
Weekend event as they sought to raise awareness of Oxfam's Grow
Campaign. Looking back, Adam reflected: "I have now realised
the value of voluntary social action, and how enriching that
is. I hope to volunteer with Bolton Lads and Girls' Club in
future."
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