MP SARAH Newton recently met with young people to discuss their participation in the “life changing” National Citizenship Service.

The MP for Truro and Falmouth visited the group at the charity Young People Cornwall, at Zebs Cafe in Truro, where they talked about their hard work and the skills they have learned during the programme.

She heard how, in their first week, the team lived together at an outdoor centre, taking on adrenalin-charged challenges. During the second week, they learned to cook, met with local organisations and developed important skills including teamwork, leadership and communication.

Mrs Newton met with the team in their final weeks of the programme, where they brought together their experiences and delivered their own social action project, supporting the work of St Petroc’s Society with homeless people in Truro.

Mrs Newton said: “Each year, a highlight of my summer is joining local young people taking part in the National Citizenship Service. Open to all 16 and 17-year-olds, it helps build skills for work and life, while they take on new challenges and meet new friends. I can't put it better than the young people I listened to- it's a ‘life changing’ opportunity.

“Congratulations to Cornwall College and Young People Cornwall for delivering the NCS here, enabling over 100 young people from across Cornwall, from different backgrounds, to spend time together, learning new skills that not only benefit them but us all. I encourage all year 12 students to sign-up in October.”