What is a social action project? This is the ‘doing good’ part of NCS, where young people put into practice the skills and teamwork they’ve learned during the first two weeks of the programme, and put together a project that benefits their local community, gaining confidence and valuable experience along the way. Though UFA’s NCS projects in 2020 had to be held under digital and socially-distanced conditions, teams of young people across the UK made a big difference.

Read on to find out more …

‘Keep Doing Good’, Summer, West Midlands

Hygiene Poverty

Three teams focused on alleviating the issue of hygiene poverty in the city, inspired to assist low-income households currently struggling to afford the cost of adequate PPE and sanitising equipment. Through digital fundraising and contacting local businesses, food banks and supermarkets, the team managed to create over 200 care packages that were donated to Birmingham City Mission, a local foodbank where the packages could be given to people accessing its service.

One team focused on the issue of homelessness in Birmingham. For the first part of their social action the team created an online and physical campaign to raise awareness of services available to support people experiencing homelessness in the city. This included leaflets detailing how and where to access support services for local people, plus Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts that gained over 500 followers during the course of the campaign.

The team also fundraised £150 in the space of two days and were able to make 50 care packages consisting of personalised letters to the recipients, blankets, toiletries and other in demand items which were then donated to local homelessness charity SIFA Fireside in Digbeth, Birmingham.

‘Keep Doing Good’, Autumn, Yorkshire & Humberside

One team of five young people on the digital KDG programme in West Yorkshire put together an environmental project. The young people have managed to get the attention of the popular ‘Extinction Rebellion’ organisation, as well as that of a youth worker in Kenya who is extremely interested in their work. They have raised awareness in their local area and are going to continue promoting sustainable lifestyle choices.

“We are an NCS social action project called Forevergreen. We are based in West Yorkshire and hope to plant trees/shrubs and combat climate change. We want to educate and encourage others to support other charities as well, because every change matters. To change the world, we need to Grow Together.

“Not only are we helping the planet, but our local community as well."