I was first introduced to National Citizen Service (NCS) by hearing an advert on the radio and immediately thought it was such a great idea.
We then met some of the local NCS team when Kian enrolled in sixth form, who really sold us the benefits of taking part in the programme.
In a world where young people can struggle to get work due to their age and lack of experience, NCS can really help to build their confidence, teach them basic life skills and help them make friends for life.
NCS is a government backed programme established in 2011 to help build a more cohesive, mobile and engaged society. By bringing together young people from different backgrounds for a unique shared experience, NCS helps them to become better individuals, and in turn better citizens.
NCS is open to 15 to 17 year-olds across England and Northern Ireland. The two to four-week programme, which takes place in spring, summer and autumn school holidays, 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, complete with certificate signed by the Prime Minister.
Living in Dorset, we are close to the Jurassic Coast and NCS activities on offer here include Coasteering, Kayaking, Sailing, Climbing, Abseiling, Archery, Footgolf and more and last summer they offered a three-week program, but wherever you live in England and Northern Ireland, there will be a local NCS team who can deliver your teenager’s programme.
Week One:
Your teenager will live away from home for a five-day residential, which will see them living away from home and puts them through a series of challenging activities to take them out of their comfort zones and develop their strength of character and confidence.
Week Two:
Your teenager will learn to embrace independent living, typically in university campus dorms or uni-style halls. This will help provide a progressive journey that hands over more responsibility to young people and as the programme progresses and develops, the leadership skills necessary to succeed in the workplace.
Week Three:
For the social action phase – weeks three (and four), your teenager will return to their local area and give something back to their community which enables young people to connect with their communities.
Not only is it great fun for the teens, but NCS is amazing value for money. The whole experience including food, accommodation and travel costs just £50 per person with bursaries are available on a case by case basis. Taking part in a course can also help with university, college and work applications as it looks great on personal statements.
Have you looked into the NCS programme?
Fantastic post this! I love NCS and it’s great to see they got so much out of it.
I have only recently heard of NCS but it sounds such a great opportunity for teenagers x
What a brilliant program – I wish I had heard of it before. Kaz
What an amazing opportunity! I would’ve loved something like this when I was younger.
This sounds like such an excellent program, I’d love to have done something like this when I was younger. A great way to encourage children to become a bit more confident and come out of their shells!
It is such a fab idea, I am hoping my teen will sign up for it x
This is such a great opportunity for teens! I know Lewis would really enjoy it!
I first heard about this a couple of years ago and I have a few friends whose children have done it and I think it is such a great idea. It is a great experience, fun and the chance to meet new people and do something different and at such a great price too.
I agree that it can be difficult for young people to get work outside of education so the NCS sounds like a great government backed program that can enable young people to have that chance to shine!
This is such a good idea! I wish this was around when I was a kid! Learning all those new skills whilst making new friends? Sounds beyond perfect. And helps parents out too during the long school holidays.
Such a wonderful program, I first learnt of it when my oldest niece reached her teens. Wonderful to see others promoting it.
What a fantastic idea and a great opportunity for young people! Looks fun too!
NCS is such a fabulous idea to keep teens busy and teaching them some good skills at the same time.
Great post and the programme is excellent. Perfect for the teenagers.
NCS does sound like an amazing experience. I’m gutted I’m too old to be honest.
I’ll be signing Garreth up as soon as he’s old enough.
I wish this was around when I was in year 11, would be great for building skills and gaining confidence!
I really do love this idea and hope it is still around when my kids are old enough. I think it would have made a world of difference to me at that age.
What a great programme for teenagers. I like the sound of it.
This sounds amazing, I really wish they had something like this when I was a teenager. I would have loved it x