A CREATIVE teenager from Weymouth has been named as one of the country's top young citizens following her growth in confidence and enthusiasm for helping the community.

Claudia Lawton has been selected out of thousands of young people across the country to become one of 100 NCS Leaders after taking part in the National Citizen Service youth programme last summer.

Claudia, 17, gave up four weeks of her summer holidays to take part in the NCS programme, where she met other young people from different backgrounds, took on outdoor challenges and made a positive difference in her community.

Running across the country during school holidays, the two-three week programme is open to 16 and 17 year-olds and costs no more than £50.

Following a rigorous selection process, Claudia was selected for as NCS Leader for the role she played in her team’s social action project which involved creating a sensory garden in a local care home.

As well as planning the project, the team raised almost £400 to be able to buy supplies for the garden, with Claudia ensuring the project ran smoothly. For Claudia, who was initially extremely anxious about meeting new people, this was a huge transformation.

Claudia said: "I'd been home-schooled for almost 10 years and I'm naturally really shy, so I was very nervous before going on NCS, especially about meeting new people. However, as soon as I started the first week I felt comfortable with my group and as the weeks went on my confidence grew no end."

As part of the leadership programme, Claudia has already participated in various workshops focusing on personal and social development, including a media day hosted by the Roundhouse in London where she learnt about video creation, TV presenting and communication.

She has also attended sessions delivered by government departments and top business and community partners including No10 Downing Street, Cabinet Office, Accenture, Bloomberg, Google, Just Giving and Sport Relief.

Claudia added:"I’m so excited to become an NCS Leader. It’s amazing how much of an impact the three week programme can have – not only to your confidence levels but the amazing opportunities that are opened up to you as a result. The programme has already given me so many experiences, the opportunity to meet new people, to spend time away from home, to explore my own interests. NCS Leaders took this to a new level. I’d recommend it to anyone."

NCS provides programmes for 16 and 17 year olds across England and Northern Ireland during the summer holidays and February and October half terms.

The programme costs no more than £50, and is free for some and extra support is provided to those with additional needs. Visit ncsyesco.uk