Volunteers thanked by Horsham charity for ‘valuable’ contribution

JPCT 080814 S14330079x Horsham. Springboard Project refurbished by young volunteers -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140808-111945001

Young people taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme spent two weeks at the Springboard Project in Hurst Road tidying and repairing areas of the garden and renovating regularly used rooms.

The charity provides inclusive play and leisure opportunities for families with young children, and children and teenagers with disabilities.

Nigel Scott-Dickeson, chief executive officer at the Springboard Project, said: “They’ve had just three days here but they’ve made a real difference.

“We’re really grateful to them.”

He explained that the young people had used their initiative to come up with practical solutions during the project, and the value of the work done had been worth thousands of pounds.

He added: “For us, as a small charity, it’s really valuable.”

Matt Williamson, 16, an NCS participant and volunteer involved in the project, thought that as well as enhancing his CV the work had been a ‘real pleasure’.

The Billingshurst teenager said: “I wanted to show that I’m willing to go out and help others in the community.”

NCS is an intensive four-week programme for 15-17 year olds aimed at building their skills and involving them in the local community.

The programme includes residential trips based around team-working activities and finishes with a ‘social action project’.

Dan Sneller, an NCS team leader, discussed the impact the project has had on its young participants.

He said: “The change in this group from day one to today is massive. They have grown as people and become a lot more confident.”

Other NCS participants shared the skills they have learnt and their reasons for getting involved.

Volunteer Rhiannon Fitzgerald said: “I have made new friends and feel I can communicate better within a team.”

Toby Gumbrill added: “I joined NCS to do something fun and productive with my summer and to give something back to the local community.”

The other volunteers included Aimee Knell, Catherine Rose, Sam Laws, Patrick Eagle, Tom Walat and Jake Eggledon.

Companies Brewers, Domino’s, Jewson, WH Smith, Horsham Matters, The Entertainer, 02 Think Big Funding, Toy Barnhaus, Horsham Flooring Centre, and The Linen Shop all helped fund the project.

To get involved with NCS visit www.ncsyes.co.uk or for information on the Springboard Project visit www.springboardproject.com