Nearly 40 students from Lisneal College were presented with certificates by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council at the Guildhall on 4 June. The recognition marked the completion of a three-day personal development and volunteering programme delivered by North West Regional College.

The programme took place during Volunteers' Week, 1-7 June, and involved 14 hours of activity for each of the participating 14- to 16-year-olds. Activities included classroom-based learning, outdoor team-building exercises and hands-on community volunteering.

In one community-based session, a cohort of students attended the Restore Hub in Lisnagelvin, where they learned about shop operations, donation management and the circular economy. A second group worked with the Bloom Project at St Columb's Park House, maintaining flower beds and replanting flowers to improve local green space.

Francine Moran, Principal Lecturer in Sustainability and Social Responsibility at North West Regional College, said the initiative demonstrated how volunteering can build confidence and foster relationships across communities. She added that early experiences of collaboration and inclusion are vital for peacebuilding and encouraging active citizenship.

Steven Young, Vice Principal of Lisneal College, said staff were delighted with the level of student engagement. He noted that some pupils may continue volunteering once they turn 16, and praised the planning that ensured a rewarding experience.

The programme was supported by the North West Volunteer Centre, which gave pupils information on future volunteering opportunities. NWRC sports students also acted as mentors during team-building activities.

The initiative was funded through the PEACEPLUS-supported Inspire, Enthuse, Equip project. It aligns with curriculum areas such as Learning for Life and Work, citizenship and employability, and aims to strengthen links between education and the community and voluntary sector in the North West.