More than 70 young people aged 16 and 17 were supported by Hertfordshire County Council Youth Connexions Hertsmere Team as they took part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) this summer.

The four-week programme sees young people from Bushey, Borehamwood and Potters Bar choose worthwhile community causes, plan and budge for the projects and raise the funds.

The young members also took part in team-building exercises which developed their communication trust, listening and leadership skills.

In the first week of the programme, the team visited the Kingswood outdoor education centre on the Isle of Wight.

The week was designed to give the young people experiences outside their comfort zone and bring them together as a team.

The second week was at Framlingham College, Suffolk, and the students took part CV writing and first aid workshops.

As well as performing a talent show at Framlingham Castle and it was up to them to organise it themselves to get to sessions on time.

The last two weeks the groups planned and delivered several social action projects in the Hertsmere district.

One group, who were raising awareness of Herts Young Homeless and the work they do, managed to get two live radios interviews to publicise their project: one on BBC Three Counties Radio and one on Radio Verulam.

The groups worked really hard during this part of the project and got out what they put in. More than £1,500 was raised for Herts Young Homeless and care homes for the elderly in Hertsmere.