More than 150 City of Bath College students are putting their free time to good use by giving back to their communities through the National Citizen Service.
The 16 and 17-year-olds are using newly acquired skills to plan and host fundraising events to help those in need.
The 12 events across Bath and North East Somerset include the renovation of the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton, a football championship in aid of Help the Heroes, an online raffle for Macmillan Cancer and a sponsored dog walk for Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
The social action projects are a culmination of the two-month Autumn NCS programme which gives students a unique experience that looks great on CVs and prepares them for work life.
It includes a four-day trip to West Wales for students to take part in team-building activities such as rock-climbing, abseiling, kayaking and quad biking.
Students studying subjects including Business, IT and Sport volunteered to take part in the NCS, which is run by Engage4Life.
Tom Gerrard, regional manager for Enage4Life, said the students were improving their future prospects by leaving a positive mark on their communities.
He said: “It’s all going very well as all the students have been working really hard to make an impact.
“In groups they have come up with their own ideas to make a difference, and are now ready to host a variety of events to improve their communities.
“They have gone into the communities where they live, identified a need that they really care about and are now determined to help those in need.
“It’s all about young people developing and sharing new skills so that they increase their confidence, believe in themselves and help others.”
Students are now putting the finishing touches to their events after two days of brainstorming and planning at the Bath and County Club in Queen’s Parade.
They also took part in sexual health and drugs awareness workshops and discussed their fundraising ideas with Bath MP Don Foster, Deputy May Councillor Ian Gilchrist and members of the Cabinet Office.
Fashion student Katie Erangey, 18, said: “I participated in the NCS last year and this year I was invited back as an activity tutor.
“It’s a great opportunity as young people get to do so many things they’ve never done before. It’s helped a lot with my confidence, working in a team and leadership skills.
“It is good fun, you make new friends and you get to help those less fortunate at the same time.”
Sport and Exercise Science student Dan Arbery, 16, said: “I’m enjoying doing new things and meeting new people.
“It brings together people who wouldn’t normally mix. I am working with people from different courses who I probably wouldn’t have ever spoken to; now we are friends.”
Members of the public are asked to dig deep and give generously at the student-organised events over the next couple of weeks.
