Young people from all over West Norfolk have spent the past week learning some of the skills to help them become better citizens. Nearly 80 of them, organised by the uniformed services section of the College of West Anglia, have taken part in activities at Mepal adventure centre in Cambridgeshire, Bircham Newton centre and at the college itself. Young people, aged 16-17 years old, from as far away as Thetford, spent three days at Mepal and, working as teams, undertook climbing, high ropes, kayaking, shooting and archery. At Bircham they were given talks and demonstrations by Norfolk Traffic Police, the Fire Service and the college’s own Police Community Support Officer Ollie Gilder. And among those on duty were John Neal and Jack Hayes, who are now retained firemen, having been at the college as uniformed services students. Highlight of their days at Bircham was a visit by Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Bett, who gave a talk on his role and stressed to the students the importance of working together. He said that in the future working together as a team would be even more important, something he experienced during a recent visit to India. “In India the family keeps everyone together.” This is the second year NCS has been held in West Norfolk and another programme will be held for young people in the summer. Using a “Local Heroes” title the young people are involved in adventure training, team building and other projects, using facilities at Mepal, Bircham Newton and the college’s team of staff and supporters. This is the second year the college has managed the project, which was introduced by the Prime Minister in 2011. It is being run by Uniformed Services college lecturer Stuart Harrowing, with help from college staff and volunteers. The final day at Bircham Newton and then at the college is spent with the young people working as teams to develop ideas for community work and charitable activities. Anyone interested in taking part in the summer event should contact Stuart on 07747456363. Pictures Top: Former uniformed services students John Neal, left, and Jack Hayes, are now retained firemen Middle: Team work…Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Bett, second right, college faculty head Andrew Gedge, third left, programme manager Lee Mallott, and organiser Stuart Harrowing, fight left, with other staff, firemen and students. Bottom: Students with fire service staff who talked about their role and also created activities.