Sameera Sharma worked to support low-income housing charity

Sameera is pictured on the left giving the peace sign with her teammates

Sameera Sharma, aged 16 from Acton has been announced the regional winner of a creative competition run by NCS The Challenge to celebrate the end of their National Citizen Service (NCS) programme this summer.

As part of a group of 16 and 17 year olds, Sameera spent her summer holidays giving back to the community. As a group 12, who met for the first time only a few weeks ago, they worked together to create a social action project with a difference, using the skills they’d developed on the programme. After learning about Walterton & Elgin Community Homes Ltd (WECH) who are an organisation that provides housing and support to low-income households, the group chose to dedicate their project to them by spreading awareness for the organisation.

Sameera said, ‘We had a lot of fun together and it definitely bought us closer together as a team’

Inspired after finishing the programme, Sameera was asked to submit a moment that was personal to her and encapsulated her experience whilst away from home.

‘It was a collage I put together of a few pictures of me and my team (team Ward) to represent our team and the family bond we gained within only a few days. NCS taught me the importance of team building and team skills. I was extremely nervous about making new friends, but I realised that everyone who signs up for NCS gets that initial fear, but as soon as you introduce yourself to one person, you will find that making friends is easy! I made some friends for life and that is something my picture represents.’

Laura Nelson says: “Sameera’s story was a testament to the hard work and dedication they demonstrated during their time away and the personal impact it had on their life. Every year we are overwhelmed by the determination of our young people in supporting their local community and their efforts to making a difference.”

The Challenge is the largest provider of NCS. Set up in 2009, The Challenge aims to work at a local level to connect people across all ages, ethnicities and walks of life. To sign up for their October progamme, visit www.ncsthechallenge.org.

October 13, 2016