NSG students give more than 2,000 hours back to Northamptonshire community

Students from Northampton School for Girls have dedicated more than 2,100 hours of volunteering to supporting charities, community groups and local organisations across Northamptonshire over the past year.

The remarkable contribution, delivered through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, saw students give a total of 2,171 hours of voluntary service between April 2025 and March 2026. This is the equivalent of more than 90 continuous days spent helping others.

Their efforts, valued at an estimated £16,390, have touched every corner of the community.

From supporting foodbanks and fundraising events to coaching younger children in basketball, dance, music and tennis, NSG students have spent the year making a tangible difference to the lives of others. They have volunteered in churches, mosques, libraries and youth organisations, worked with animal welfare charities and helped to keep local parks and public spaces clean through regular litter-picking initiatives.

Some have taken on particularly challenging roles. One student spent her volunteering hours supporting children with additional needs and complex medical conditions through horse-riding and pony-trekking activities, helping young people build confidence and enjoy experiences that might otherwise be unavailable to them.

Many others have become familiar faces within local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Scouts and Cadet groups, giving up evenings and weekends to support younger children and help community organisations thrive.

Karen Bright, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager at Northampton School for Girls, said the impact of students' volunteering was being recognised far beyond the school gates.

"I was incredibly proud when a local Rainbow leader contacted me to tell me about one of our Year 9 students completing her Bronze Award. She spoke about the patience and maturity she showed when working with younger children.

"She also took the time to praise three of our Gold Award students who volunteer with the same group, describing them as enthusiastic, reliable and positive role models. Hearing directly from community leaders about the difference our students are making is incredibly rewarding."

Headteacher Cristina Taboada-Naya said the figures reflected a long-standing culture of service and leadership at the school.

"These numbers are impressive, but what matters most is the impact behind them. Every hour represents a student choosing to give their time to somebody else.

"Across Northamptonshire, our students are helping younger children learn new skills, supporting vulnerable members of the community, raising money for good causes and improving local environments.

"We are enormously proud of the contribution they make to our county. They are exceptional ambassadors not only for Northampton School for Girls, but for Northamptonshire as a whole."

The volunteering has been delivered through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which challenges young people to develop skills, take part in physical activity, complete expeditions and contribute to their communities through service.

Nationally, more than 345,000 young people started a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme during 2025-26, with participants contributing more than six million hours of volunteering across the UK.

At Northampton School for Girls, however, the impact can be measured much closer to home – in youth groups strengthened by extra support, parks left cleaner than they were found, charities helped through difficult times and younger children inspired by the example set by the next generation.

For thousands of people across Northamptonshire, those 2,171 hours have made a real difference.