National Citizen Service (NCS) is a fantastic experience for 15- and 16-year-olds in your area.
It provides an opportunity for young people to mix with those from other backgrounds in an exciting programme of challenge, activity and social action designed to support their personal and social development.
This summer, after completing Year 11 or Year 12, up to 30,000 young people from across the country will have the opportunity to stay away from home for two weeks and take part in a packed schedule of exciting, challenging activities that will help them to develop their personal and social skills, complementing their learning in and out of school. Following this, they will spend a week learning about their local communities and then volunteering 30 hours of their time on projects they have developed to benefit their local community.
In 2011, over 8,000 young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, participated in NCS pilots. Feedback from young people showed that the experience was life-changing for many with long-lasting friendships formed across traditional boundaries. Social action projects are continuing well beyond the summer, and young people left feeling more confident and motivated about their future. In many cases, the experience of NCS encouraged young people to seek positive change in their lives and approach their education and future in a different light. In coming years, we want NCS to be offered to every 16-year-old in the country.
NCS pilots are being delivered by a range of organisations across the country including those from the public and voluntary sectors. Details of your local provider can be downloaded from the associated resources section of this page.
We’d welcome your assistance in encouraging and supporting young people to participate in NCS. If you have any queries about NCS pilots, please contact your local provider(s) or email NCS.pilots@education.gsi.gov.uk.
