Regional co-ordinator Ashleigh Walton said she was now screening adult mentors – and seeking about six or seven more – before it begins in a fortnight.

Students from Armidale, Tamworth and Walcha will take part in the program, which helps teens to develop a community-minded project from idea to action and evaluation.

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Miss Walton said she’d been meeting with the students this week and had been “surprised they had so many great ideas already”.

“We’re definitely not at that stage of the program yet, but they’re very passionate about their ideas,” she said.

They range across animal therapy in nursing homes, cricket, music and dance, supporting families in need, and animal cruelty.

Miss Walton said the students were “really keen and excited to get started”.

“After meeting them, I can see they’re a very passionate, thoughtful and excited group of students. They genuinely want to make a difference to the community.”