Students from the North West attended a glittering ceremony at Chester Cathedral to graduate from the National Citizenship Scheme (NCS).

NCS is a Government programme for youngsters across England and Northern Ireland aged 15-17. The programme provides opportunities for young people to develop new skills, meet new people and make a difference to their local community.

The Youth Federation delivers the programme from its headquarters in Ellesmere Port headquartered charity and supports young people in Cheshire, Halton, Merseyside, Staffordshire, Wirral and Wolverhampton.

All 199 students who attended the ceremony completed the autumn cohort of the NCS programme.

David Briggs, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and Jim Bisset, chairman of the Youth Federation’s Board of Trustees officiated at the ceremony.

Mr Briggs said: “The NCS programme encourages young people to drive positive change in our communities and the graduation ceremony recognised the fundamental role each of the individuals has played in Cheshire and beyond. 22 groups were created within the autumn cohort – each of which nominated a local charity and worked to raise funds. A total of £4,500 was raised by the 199 NCS graduates – who volunteered more than 5970 hours of their time. The ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate the students’ contribution to society and I would strongly recommend the programme to all young people.”

Charities which have benefitted from the money raised by the students include Joshua House Children’s Hospice, Claire House Hospice, Midlands Air Ambulance Service and Halton and Knowsley Guide Dogs Association.

The NCS students also participated in a five-day residential break during which the members were able to meet like-minded people. Students also attended a full programme of training ranging from First Aid training to Child Exploitation Online Protection training (CEOP).

Director for NCS at the Youth Federation Victoria Head, said: “The NCS programme provides life changing experiences to young people whilst massively benefitting local charities. Since we started to deliver the NCS programme, more than 2000 young people have graduated from the scheme. We look forward to welcoming new students onto the programme in 2015.”

For further information on NCS contact 0151 357 1971.