Teenagers are spending their holiday developing their social inclusion skills through a nationwide programme.

Young people worked with charities Dementia Club, Norwood, Noah’s Ark Hospice and Flower Lane to build the skills and independence of service users in Barnet, while 15-17 year olds volunteered for Enfield Cares and Murrayfield Care Home in Enfield as part of the National Citizen Service programme.

The NCS programmes worked towards the United Nations-approved International Youth Day on August 12, focusing on ‘Youth Building Peace’ where young people contribute in preventing conflict whilst promoting sustainable peace, inclusion and social justice.

Southgate's Ashmore Academy student, Vanessa, 16, said: "I actually had a lot of fun because we got to meet really interesting people and usually when you see people with disabilities they are kept away from you, as they need to be with people that care for them.

"But we were allowed to socialize and talk with them.

"It was fun and it’s definitely something I would do just as a volunteer."

Over 8,000 young people will participate in the NCS programme across north London this summer and last year, NCS members gave over 2.3 million hours to social action.

Fran, an NCS participant from Alexandra Park School, said: "NCS has really helped me understand other people’s viewpoint more.

"I really want to get into setting up my own social action project one day."

Visit the NCS Challenge website to find out more about the programme or sign up to take part.