Campaign highlights gap in education for young people

NCS Chichester Lessons4Life, front from left, Summer Busk, Chichester mayor Peter Budge and Emily Hitchman, back from left, Dylan Clark, Caitlin Lelliott, Ella Dabner, Will Jones, Henry Lunt, Archie Gammon, Beatrice Peppercorn, Amy Moore, Eddie Gammon, Alice Green, Yasmin Ciccone and Luenna Van Heerd

The NCS Chichester group of 16 and 17 year olds were motivated by concerns that young people are not being taught the basics.

From ironing and changing a light bulb to the intricacies of a mortgage, the Lessons4Life campaign embraces all the skills needed for life but lacking in school.

The teenagers were brought together through the National Citizen Service, a nationwide programme that aims to inspire long-term change through community-based action projects.

Luenna Van Heerd, 16, from The Witterings, said: “We have recognised a large issue concerning teenagers and their education.

“These concerns involve the lack of life skills and the inability to carry out simple tasks such as changing a fuse or light bulb due to these skills not being taught in school.

“Through our campaign we want to raise awareness of this issue and make sure as many people as possible can learn the skills they need for everyday life.”

Members of the campaign group also include Beatrice Peppercorn, 17, from Chichester; Yasmin Ciccone, 16, from Bognor Regis; Alice Green, 16, from Emsworth; Emily Hitchman, 16, from Emsworth; Eddie Gammon, 16, from The Witterings; Archie Gammon, 16, from The Witterings; Henry Lunt, 16, from Liphook; Summer Busk, 16, from Walberton; Amy Moore, 16, from Chichester; Dylan Clark, 16, from Petworth; Ella Dabner, 16, from Chichester; Will Jones, 16, from Selsey; and Caitlin Lelliott, 16, from Selsey.

The team has been taking to the streets, including a visit to McDonald’s in Portfield Way, Chichester, las Tuesday, to teach fellow teenagers new tricks.

The group has also made a video to highlight the horrors of ironing and electrics.

The teenagers carried out a survey which revealed 93 per cent of participants did not understand what a mortgage was.

One survey participant stated: “We aren’t taught these skills at all. I am about to go into year ten and I have no clue how to pay tax or mortgage.”

NCS Chichester will take the campaign message to MPs and met with Chichester mayor Peter Budge last week to explain their campaign.

The team said Mr Budge agreed with their viewpoint and was happy to support their campaign.

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