Derby County Community Trust is delighted to name sixteen-year-old Luke Preston as NCS Graduate of the year for 2021.

Teenager Luke attended the summer programme and flourished, continuing to volunteer with NCS planning a social action project which he will deliver next year when he attends the Grads in Kenya trip.

Megan Daykin, NCS Project Officer, said “We’re absolutely delighted with Luke and the journey he’s been on over the last six months or so.

“From day one coming in and taking part in team building activities, to helping his local community through social action – he’s thrown himself into everything with a positive and enthusiastic attitude and energy which rubbed off on all those around him.

“Since the summer programme finished, he’s continued to take part in NCS and will now join us on our Grads in Kenya trip in August 2022, where he will deliver a project that he has planned himself.

“Luke aims to provide resources and a suitable environment for the sensory needs of the children at Jubilee Academy.”

Speaking of his experiences with NCS, Luke added “NCS was absolutely amazing! I had a great time, and met so many new diverse people who I still have contact with now.

“When I found out I had been nominated for Grad of the Year, me and my family were so proud, for the next stage I had to come up with an idea to help improve schools in Kenya which was interesting.

“I set upon researching SEN and what facilities they have for children and young people, I found out SEN was very overlooked, so came up with an idea to try and improve that, which ended up winning!

“I was overwhelmed, shocked and just extremely excited knowing that it was going to help a lot of people. The reason why I chose this idea was because I have friends that have been diagnosed with additional needs and it got me thinking about the children in Kenya and how their needs were met in a deprived area of the world.

“I can’t wait to go over to Kenya and try and make a difference and turn my idea into life, I’ve loved every second of NCS and am excited to see what the future brings – any young person thinking of signing up for next year’s projects, just do it!”  

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