YOUNG people who completed the National Citizenship Scheme over the summer gathered at Brockenhurst College to receive their certificates.

The evening celebrated their achievement in participating in the nationally-recognised programme, which offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to 16-17-year-olds to build fundamental skills for work and life, while making new friends and playing their part in helping the community.

The students attended Brockenhurst College where Desmond Swayne MP presented each of them with a certificate that had been personally signed by Prime Minister, David Cameron.

As part of the ‘social action’ aspect of the programme, the students spent time over the summer holidays taking part in a range of projects in the interest of the local community, including setting up a Horseshoe Garden for the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, designing and implementing a children’s play area, creating gardens and painting storage areas for the Phoenix Centre in New Milton.

They also worked with local film producer Jonnie Dean to develop and launch ‘A Child’s Dream’, a film about world peace, at the Forest Arts Centre.

As well as giving something back to the local area, these projects also enabled the group to think and work creatively, enhancing their own skills and developing attributes such as teamwork, leadership and effective communication.

Jacquie Maguire and Kevin Message organised the programme at Brockenhurst this year. Jacquie said: “These young people have worked together, made new friends and supported each other while having fun and developing important new skills.

“Many have now developed a new interest in volunteering or taking part in community activities, and they have all developed greater confidence and self-awareness through taking part in the scheme – I was extremely proud to see them graduate.”