MORE than 1,000 Hampshire youngsters have been recognised for their part in a national scheme to broaden their skills.

They were graduating from the latest National Citizen Service (NCS) programme in Hampshire in a ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre.

NCS is designed to bring together young people aged 16 and 17 from different backgrounds and help them develop greater confidence, new skills, self-awareness and responsibility.

Those who got involved had to develop a social action project to tackle or help a local issue that they were interested in and spend thirty hours putting the project into action in their community.

The Government scheme encourages personal and social development and is meant to improve young people’s leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

Teenagers from across the county attended the event from Southampton, the New Forest, the Test Valley, including Romsey, and Basingstoke.

A spokesperson for the scheme said: “This year the graduation event was bigger and better than ever. It is a chance to celebrate the achievements of all the young people who have completed the scheme during the summer.”

For more information about upcoming schemes visit footprint hants.co.uk