Teenagers as an age group often have a bad name.

They're normally the first to get the blame for anti-social behaviour and not universally renowned for their community spirit or work ethic.

But youngsters like Harrison Burns, 18, are trying their very best to change that perception.

Colchester Sixth Form student Harrison is one of roughly 500,000 teenagers to take part in the National Citizen Service since it launched in 2011.

And now he is set to represent young people across Essex and Hertfordshire after being appointed to the national youth board of the prestigious programme.

Harrison said: "Before I started the NCS I went in without really knowing why I was doing it, but there is so much you can gain out of it.

"There are lots of different opportunities.

"I'm sure the project is helping turn around the impressive of teenagers.

"It is giving a platform for young people to do things like volunteering.

"Before the NCS I would have had no idea how to get involved with volunteering."

His empowering adventure began in the summer holidays last year when he signed up for a four-week NCS programme after a presentation at his then school, Colchester High School.

Harrison said: "The first week was an outwardbound activity week.

"The second week was a university and life skills programme where we learned things like first aid.

"Next was a fortnight where we were told to plan a social project."

He, and several like-minded colleagues, spent the fortnight working with Colchester Night Shelter.

Harrison said: "We raised money through sponsored walks and things like that and then we made care packages up for the people who use the shelter.

"We actually went and asked them what they wanted to be in them, so they were full of the things people sometimes forget."

Harrison, who dreams of being an airline pilot when he leaves education, enjoyed his first involvement with the NCS so much he decided to apply to join the regional board.

Through this involvement he has helped plan several volunteering projects for teenagers in the area, a fact which has been recognised by the scheme runners.

"We held one at Woodland View Care Home where we ran an activity day for residents," he said.

"It was really good. I have never been in a care home before so it was interesting."

Staff and residents were so impressed, it led to the group of youngsters being nominated for a national Children and Young People Now Award. They will find out in November if they have won.

Harrison will join the youth board for a year, where he will help shape the next batch of NCS schemes for teenagers across the UK. After his stint is complete, he can stand for election to join the service's board.

"It has definitely given me more confidence," Harrison said.

"I was the quietest person in school and I did not know anyone who was signing up.

"I just saw it and thought I would give it a go.

He added: "If you said to me when they first came in to give us that presentation that I would be joining the national youth board I wouldn't have believed you."

To find out more about the Government backed National Citizen Service programme, visit NCSIngeus.co.uk.