A group of young people from Ross, Ledbury and Malvern have been cleaning up an area of Ross-on-Wye, which often is overlooked and becomes overgrown.

Teens, aged between 15 and 17 have been taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme during the summer holidays. This government-funded project was established to get young people involved in their community, and to make them proud of the area in which they live.

As a part of the NCS, the young people have to work together to decide on a community project where they can offer their help. The group decided to spruce up an area of public land, where the Rudhall Brook goes down to Ross Rowing Club.

The NCS team have been litter picking, strimming overgrown greenery, and they plan to give the fence, which is surrounding the area, a fresh lick of paint. Some of the young people have also been fishing various items of rubbish from the brook itself.

The Ross Gazette has received several phone calls from local residents, who are full of praise of the NCS team, and their attitude and initiative.

Jodie McGee, the team’s leader, told the Ross Gazette that the NCS receive a great deal of positive feedback after the young people complete the programme. She said they often become much more confident, and it often inspires them to do further good deeds within their community afterwards.

She added that in Herefordshire, approximately 260 teens signed up for the NCS. “They’ve all really gotten stuck in,” she said. “There’s lots of good young people out there.”

When taking part in the NCS, the young people took part in a one week stay at PGL, an outdoor education centre. They then spent one week at Aston University, to get a taste of independent living. Their third week was spent planning on what community activity they would undertake, and how they would complete it. For the fourth and final week, the teams have been taking part in this planned activity, designed to benefit the wider community.