THOUSANDS of teenagers in Oxfordshire are set to benefit from a scheme helping young people make a difference in their community.

Oxfordshire County Council hopes to deliver the National Citizen Service (NCS) in the county all the way until the end of 2018.

The scheme, which is funded by central government, allows teenagers aged 15-17 to get involved with projects, learn new skills and gain confidence.

As part of the programme, they are taken to the Isle of Wight for a week where they can try their hands at rock climbing, abseiling and other adventurous activities. They then visit Hill End near Farmoor where they can learn to cook, pick up some first aid skills and listen to sexual health advice.

The final two weeks of the four-week scheme sees the teenagers raise cash for a charity of their choice, through raffles, car washes and other events.

One NCS team leader James Moores is looking after several groups of teenagers this summer as part of the scheme. His latest group hosted an art exhibition at Oxford Castle to raise awareness of mental health charity Restore. They raised around £300 for the local organisation.

Mr Moores said: “It’s really great to watch their confidence grow. This goes on their CVs and boosts their opportunities later in life.”

The leader has just said goodbye to one team of 13 teenagers, who spent a month together raising money, learning life skills and meeting new people.

He added: “They’ve really pushed themselves. We took them to the Isle of Wight for the first week and it really took them away from their comfort zones and city life. They are really pushing and challenging themselves.

Jodie Meeson, 15, who has just completed Year 11 at Cheney School, said she found the scheme really helped her become more confident.

She said: “Before I came on the course I was really anxious about finding work or going to sixth form.

“But throughout these past four weeks I’ve felt so confident and I’m not worried about leaving school now.”

Tilly Burns, 16, who also goes to Cheney School, added: “Initially, I did not want to do the scheme.

“I was just going to go because a friend was doing it but then she went on holiday. I’m happy she didn’t go in the end because it forced me to speak to new people.

“I’ve gained a lot of confidence. We were doing a raffle and had to go and speak to businesses and random people which is something I would never do.”

The pupils graduated from the course with 208 other young people. Their certificate is recognised by employers all across the UK.

More than 600 young people in Oxfordshire are expected to have completed the scheme by the end of 2015, with a total of 5,073 places available up to 2018.