Tranmere Rovers in the Community’s August NCS programme concluded with a visit to Tam O’Shanter Cottage Urban Farm on Friday, where our group of 16-18 year olds helped out volunteering after raising hundreds of pounds fundraising for the farm.
During the programme, the group of young adults learned key lessons about social action, as well as taking part in plenty of fun activities across the two weeks.
The first week included a trip to Chester YHA, where the group engaged in outdoor activities such as rock climbing, abseiling and an adventure trek, as well as some challenges to improve their problem-solving skills.
There were also first aid and health and safety workshops, ensuring the youngsters had the appropriate skills to go out and make a difference after the programme.
During the second week, the group embarked on a sponsored walk around the Wirral coastline, raising money for local charities such as the Paul Lavelle Foundation, Charles Thompson Mission, and the Ronald McDonald Hospice Alder Hey, as well as having a collection for food banks on the Wirral.
The youngsters also helped out with some gardening at Friends of Birkenhead Park, where they helped clear the paths, weed the borders and collect fruit.
Tranmere Rovers in the Community’s NCS co-ordinator, Tom Rowlands, said: “The NCS programme this August has been fantastic. The group have gained confidence, made new friends and really pushed themselves out of their comfort zone.”
Like many organisations, Tam O’Shanter Cottage Urban Farm struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and was at risk of closing down. Tranmere Rovers in the Community decided to use the NCS programme to step in and support the farm, raising over £500 for them so far as well as helping out with volunteering work.
Sue, a volunteering co-ordinator at Tam O’Shanter Cottage Urban Farm, said: “The group have come and given us over 110 hours of volunteering time in total. They have helped us clean out the stables and to make a cleaner environment for the animals. They’ve actually managed to move the aviaries which I’ve been trying to do for three months but not had enough volunteers or enough time!”
Sue added: “They’ve been an absolutely wonderful bunch to work with, really enthusiastic, and some of them are saying they want to stay as volunteers and come back which is for us, absolutely amazing because to see people hold animals and love animals, and want to improve our farm is why we’re all here. They’ve done a massive thing for us.”
The NCS group will also be holding a bucket collection at the Tranmere Rovers v Newcastle United match in the Carabao Cup Round Two on Tuesday evening at Prenton Park to raise more funds for Tam O’Shanter Cottage Urban Farm, so supporters are encouraged to help out by donating any money they can towards the collection.