Hundreds of young people from across Barking and Dagenham will work alongside local charities this summer as part of a national government scheme teaching the values of community spirit.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Young people on NCS visit a day centre (photo: Adam Hollingworth)Young people on NCS visit a day centre (photo: Adam Hollingworth) (Image: Copyright © 2013 Adam Hollingworth Photography. All rights reserved.)

National Citizen Service bring people together from all walks of life, aged between 16 and 17, to complete a number of challenges aiming to develop teamwork, leadership, communication and social skills.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Young people on NCS playing to a community group (photo; Adam Hollingworth)Young people on NCS playing to a community group (photo; Adam Hollingworth) (Image: Copyright © 2013 Adam Hollingworth Photography. All rights reserved.)

Running from June until September, last year saw about 400 young people from across Newham, Tower Hamlets and Barking and Dagenham complete the scheme.

One of the challenges will see young people build relations with local community groups and charities including kids’ clubs, elderly centres and food banks.

The young people also design and carry out sponsorship and campaign projects and take part in social action projects with local charities across issues as diverse as homelessness and mental health.

In total 18,000 teenagers from across the country are expected to take part this year.

If you are a young person interested in the scheme visit ncsyes.co.uk.

Local organisations interested in partnering with The Challenge in Barking & Dagenham should email Jason Rainsford at jason.rainsford@the-challenge.org or call 02074249580.