A SCHEME designed to teach youngsters new skills and boost their confidence in large groups has been backed by members of a Darlington club.

This year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards candidates, Tom Snowden and Chloe Smith, have both taken part in the challenging residential course, alongside their studies at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QESFC).

As part of leadership scheme, the next generation of leaders are encouraged to build their skillset within a Rotary Club-sponsored Interact Club, which currently runs within QESFC.

Darlington Rotary Club members welcomed Mr Snowden and Miss Smith, who delivered a presentation discussing their year of being involved in the scheme during a lunchtime meeting last week.

A Darlington Rotary Club spokesman said: “Tom and Chloe urged Rotary to continue running and supporting this excellent scheme, telling us of new skills learned, increased confidence, and new friends made too.

“Our lunch time guests also included the first officers of the new Interact Club at QE, president Lewis Maddison and vice president Charlotte Ferguson, with their supporting teacher, Vicky Snowball.”