A group of 16 and 17 year olds from Cannock have spent their summer holidays giving back to the community following three weeks learning new skills and meeting new friends on the National Citizen Service (NCS) youth programme.
The group, who met for the first time just three weeks ago, worked together to create their own social action project using the skills they'd developed on the programme. After learning about the West Chadsmoor Family Centre in Cannock the group chose to dedicate their project to restoring the centre's gardens.
NCS participant, Bethan Mason, says: "This has been the most incredible summer. I had so much fun, tried something new every day and met new people who I can't wait to meet up with again!
"It was amazing to be able to see the project through and realise the huge difference we can make if we put our minds to it - the sense of achievement at the end when we presented the finished gardens to the volunteers at the centre was really fulfilling."
Prior to creating their social action project, Bethan and her peers had moved into outdoor activity centre accommodation with a host of new friends bonding in their groups through adventures such as raft building, giant swing and high ropes challenges.
They then went on to stay in university style accommodation where they learnt to budget for themselves, completed a first aid certificate and learnt about healthy relationships.
Employment and training experts APM, deliver NCS programmes in the West Midlands.
"Bethan's project features alongside sponsored walks car boot sales and open mic nights," said APM's Steve Binns.
"Young people demonstrated a huge amount of passion and determination of supporting their local community and making a difference."
NCS takes place during the spring, summer and autumn school holidays all across the West Midlands. Young people and their parents can register their interest today on www.ncsyes.co.uk.