What is the National Citizen Service?

The National Citizen Service?

The  National Citizen Service (NCS) is a really exciting programme which sets a series of fun and challenging experiences for young people It is a government-backed programme in its 7th year and so far a staggering 400,000 young people have taken part and more than seven million hours of community action have been completed.

NCS aims to bring together young people from different backgrounds for a unique shared experience designed to help young people be better citizens.

Isn’t that just a fabulous aim?

So who is it for?

The NCS programme is for 16 and 17 year-olds across England and Northern Ireland. The programme lasts from 2-4 weeks and includes outdoor team-building exercises, a residential for participants to learn ‘life skills’, a community-based social action project and an end of programme celebration event. Now doesn’t that sound just the most brilliant fun! It takes place in school holidays so they don’t have to miss school to attend.

Is it accessible to everyone?

One of the key aims of NCS is to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. To this end, they offer support to students with additional needs and they keep their costs really low. It is utterly fantastic value for money. The whole experience including food, accommodation and travel costs just £50 and bursaries are available on an individual basis. This year more than 100,000 teenagers from different backgrounds will come together in common purpose on NCS. That means one in six of all 16-year-olds will live together, develop skills together and build community projects together, That is an astonishing amount of engaged young people having this amazing opportunity.

How to get involved

If you have a  year 11 teenager then I urge you to sign up for this low cost, fabulous programme. It will not only keep them entertained on a budget this summer but it will also do wonders for their confidence and sense of community.  Don’t worry if you are going to be away lots of dates are available so just get your child’s name down for more information.

Where to sign up

There are still places available for Year 11s to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity this summer. To sign up now, go to the NCS website