The graduation evening, attended by Local MP Justin Tomlinson, celebrated the achievements of the students from Swindon College and New College that took part in the My NCS project.

A total of 43 young people from Swindon College and 27 from New College, all aged from 16 to 18-years-old, took part in the four week initiative. Students from Swindon College worked in groups to raise money for Swindon’s Women’s Aid, Special Care baby Unit, Swindon Food bank and worked with the town’s women’s refuge by raising £400 for them during a bag pack. Students also helped the council with the urban community sports games, which involved coaching children from five to eight-years-old and also volunteered at the Olympics in Weymouth as part of their project.

Geraldine Cruse Operational Manager for Swindon College said:

“I thought that the experience the NCS programme gave to the young people was invaluable.  They learnt more about their local community and how to help in it.  They built in their own self-confidence, developed new organisational skills and bonded as a team. We really hope the government supports a programme next year.”

At the graduation ceremony the students then collected awards in their groups from the project and ended the evening socialising with friends, family, fellow students at staff involved in the project. All students got a certificate from David Cameron to mark their achievement for the project.

Ten students were picked from the project and put forward to become a My NCS representative for the next year.

To have a look at the photos from the event please click here http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindoncollege