Young people from Sheffield create care packages for the homeless

Kind-hearted teenagers have joined together to create care packages for homeless people living on the streets in Sheffield.
The young people from across Sheffield worked to create care packages for the homelessThe young people from across Sheffield worked to create care packages for the homeless
The young people from across Sheffield worked to create care packages for the homeless

The group, aged between 15 and 16, are part of the National Citizen Service youth programme, a three week programme provided by the Sheffield United Community Foundation, which allows them to take part in a number of challenges to help build life skills and make their mark.

The third week of the programme asks participants to take part in a social action project, in which they are asked to pitch an idea that will benefit the community.

The care packages included items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, instant noodles, canned soup, hard boiled sweets, wet wipes and socksThe care packages included items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, instant noodles, canned soup, hard boiled sweets, wet wipes and socks
The care packages included items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, instant noodles, canned soup, hard boiled sweets, wet wipes and socks
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The team, made up of 14 teens decided to raise awareness for the city's homeless population, and help them by creating care packages full of everyday essentials many people take for granted.

So, given just a week and a budget of £50, they worked to create the packages, shopping at places such as Aldi and asking for help from smaller businesses on the Moor Market for free bags.

They then compiled items such as toothbrushes, tooth paste, canned soup, wet wipes and socks, creating individual packages to hand out on places such as Division Street and West Street.

Led by team leaders Lucie Boucher and Connor Davis-Britten the team then donated any left over items to the Cathedral Archer project, with the left over food such as cereal bars and instant noodles, given to food banks across the city.

The young people from across Sheffield worked to create care packages for the homelessThe young people from across Sheffield worked to create care packages for the homeless
The young people from across Sheffield worked to create care packages for the homeless
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Speaking of the project, Senior Team leader Lucie Boucher said: "It went really well, we initially rang the Archer Project to get ideas for everyday essentials.

"It has been difficult, they are constantly walking round. I think it was great from them to see someones face light up."

16-year-old Anna Humphries was part of the team, she said: "It was really nice to give back to the community. You take for granted what you have, so it's nice to give back and show them that people care.

"We worked well as a team, as we didn't know each other at the start, but we worked together and moved quite fluidly.

A poem by one of the team members, Anna Jaworska.A poem by one of the team members, Anna Jaworska.
A poem by one of the team members, Anna Jaworska.
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"It's makes you feel proud of yourself, to do something nice for someone else."

Hendrik Minvo,16, added: "It makes you feel good inside. You walk past people on the street and you don't think there's much you can do, so the fact that you're helping someone is good.

"You walk past them everyday, it's a normal part of life. This has been a great opportunity, and I think it will help raise awareness for the homeless.

"It has given me a foundation, and now I will try to get involved as much as possible."

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The National Citizen Service is a voluntary and social development programme for teens aged between 15 and 17, and as part of the Sheffield United Community Foundation they attend schools to invite children to get involved.

120 children all from different schools in Sheffield were invited to take part in the three week course, split into adventure, discovery and social action.

To find out more visit: http://www.sufc-community.com/ncs/