MORE than 150 teenagers, parents and guests gathered in Bournemouth for the local National Citizen Service (NCS) graduation event.

The event, attended by 75 graduates from a graduating class of 84, took place at the Citygate Centre, Holdenhurst Road.

Attendees were celebrating their successful participation in the youth NCS empowerment programme, a social action project open to teenagers aged 15-17.

Bournemouth-based charity BCHA, which helps homeless and vulnerable people, is the largest provider of NCS in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

BCHA's NCS community engagement worker Dom Weir said: "We are very impressed and proud of the way the participants from schools across Bournemouth Poole and East Dorset area came together and bonded so quickly.

"Their willingness to get out of their comfort zone and demonstrate resilience and flexibility to deliver an outstanding variety of social action projects to support the local community is a credit to them, their families and schools.

"We wish them all the best for the future."

During November the NCS team organised six projects, and the teenagers volunteered 2,616 hours, raising £3,345.

The projects included the Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund Christmas Fayre event, a Sleep Out for BCHA’s James Michael House, and developing and creating a consultation document for Dorset Mind.

Participants also fundraised for Bournemouth Hospital's dementia ward, the AOK Rucksack Appeal and helped deliver the 'Dance For All' event.

Stella Mavis, from Dance For All, said: "The young people and team leaders offered immense support in helping with our hip hop event weekender street jam.

"This took a lot of stress away with the help we received.

"They promoted the event on social media, gave out flyers in town centre, helped with organisational parts, both before and during the day, looked after artists and took care of all refreshments."

BCHA are now looking to recruit young people for future courses, plus individuals to support the teams in and around Dorset.

They're also seeking new social action projects to get involved with.

Anyone interested should email NCS@bcha.org.uk or call 01202 410550.