Students from across NCG’s seven colleges gathered in Newcastle in June to take part in a three-day programme designed to develop their leadership potential.
30 students were hand-picked to take part in the The Unloc Leadership Academy, an intensive course aimed at supporting NCG’s student leaders to develop their leadership skills and their capacity to drive change.
Unloc is a leading education non-profit helping to inspire and empower young people. Course Facilitator and Co-founder of Unloc, Ben Dowling explained: "For this programme, we really wanted to give a boost to those students showing a passion for leadership. The students we worked with over those three days are clearly very dedicated to making positive change and leading in an everyday way.”
Those attending took part in activities including team building exercises, interactive up-skilling workshops, campaign planning, public speaking workshops and a Q&A session with public speaker and two-time boxing champion Kheron K Gilpin, plus panel discussions with local leaders Nick Kemp, Leader of Newcastle City Council and Colin Ferguson, Leader of opposition party.
Nick said: “It was great to be invited and to take part. There were some brilliant questions from the students. The future certainly looks bright!”
Kheron added: “I absolutely loved every second with this incredible group of student leaders! I always appreciate talking to young leaders about the important role they play in creating a sense of belonging and a positive culture at school or college.”
Catherine Orridge, Assistant Principal of Newcastle College said: “There was a marked difference between the young people I met at the start of the course and those who joined me for a tour of our digital facilities on their final day. The progress and increased confidence, composure and respect for their peers was clear to see. Thank you, Ben and Saffron, from Unloc.”
Newcastle College Student Lucy Hall said: “I got a lot out of this course. It was a fantastic opportunity to boost my communication and team working skills, and to get to know other students from other NCG colleges, and work with them on a project everyone feels strongly about.”