Newcastle Sixth Form College student, Jake Bowman was praised by a senior royal recently, after he was selected to represent the National Citizen Service (NCS) at an event attended by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
Jake was chosen to attend in recognition of his dedication and achievements on Catch 22’s NCS programme in 2014 and his commitment and enthusiasm to staying involved.
Jake, who is currently studying A levels, got involved with NCS as a way of taking on new challenges and meeting new people during his summer break. However, he got a whole lot more than he bargained for including a residential in Scotland for an outward bound course and sessions on drug awareness and sexual health.
But it was his week long experience working with Swan Lodge in Sunderland which provides food and shelter for the homeless that really opened his eyes to the hardships some members of society face.
Jake said: “Our time with the residents at Swan Lodge was the most memorable of my life. I really feel like we had an impact on the residents and really hope that we were able to bring some joy during the short time we were there.
During his time at Swan Lodge, Jake and his team chatted to the residents about what they would like and the result was a butterfly mural which represents those lost or who have moved on, a full English breakfast and a special lunch of stir fry noodles and yummy desserts.
Jake continued: “Catch 22’s NCS programme really made me realise how lucky I am to have a home, a family and everything that comes with that. I feel really honoured that I got to meet His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales but I feel even more honoured to call the residents of Swan Lodge my friends.”
Steve Gibson, Principal at Newcastle Sixth Form said: “We are extremely proud of Jake. He is a great example of how the National Citizen Service can really have an impact not just on the participant but the people they come into contact with such as the residents of Swan Lodge.
“Enrichment opportunities are a huge part of a student’s time at Newcastle Sixth Form College and we actively encourage all our students to get involved with NCS and other programmes.”
Nationally over 45,000 16-17 year olds completed NCS in 2014. Catch 22 is part of the NCS Network and works with troubled and vulnerable people, helping them to steer clear of crime or substance misuse, do the best they can in education or employment, and play a full part in their family or community.
Find out more about enrichment at Newcastle Sixth Form College
