Published: 3rd October 2019
The National Citizen Service is a voluntary, personal and social development programme designed for 15-17 year olds to build skills for future work and life. The young people complete 4 phases of the program, consisting of an outbound residential, independent living and 30 hours community action.
A brief insight into each phase.
Phase 1
A four night outdoor residential, taking on adrenaline-fuelled activities, from rock climbing, canoeing and abseiling. Developing key skills such as Teamwork, Leadership and Communication.
Phase 2
A home residential week designed to enhance life skills, living independently, budgeting and learning more about their local community.
Phase 3A
Social Action phases where young people plan and deliver a community project to impact a charitable organisation in the local area. Part of this week, YP present their ideas to a panel of dragons in the hope to secure some funds to kick start their career.
Phase 3B
Make your mark and give back to the community. Devising communal projects to leave legacies all over Kirklees. Using the skills developed over the course of NCS and making a difference.
Phase 4
Finally, take stock of all that has been achieved and celebrate triumphs during a night filled with food, awards, disco and celebrity magician.
The students had to present their ideas in phase 3A, we thank all the dragons for their support, effort and time taken out of their busy schedules! With over 15 Kirklees councillors, numerous BNI members and local community organisations we couldn’t have done it without you all!
Through the Social action phase NCS has worked with 34 partners, across 41 projects, seeing some amazing success stories.
One group worked with Longroyds & Pilling House Residential Care Home, completing groundwork and maintenance in the surrounding grounds of the building. Works such as painting flower beds, turning soil over, re designing flower beds, sanding down boxes and more.
Another success was a team working at Almondbury Cricket ground, who organised a project to design and create an inclusive wall mural. This showcased the diversity of the community, the players and the spectators.
NSPCC was a new partner to NCS HGCT this year, they set up a P.A.N.T.S campaign which aims to raise awareness of exploitation against young children and our NCS group. They looked at a similar project to raise awareness. NSPCC we mightily impressed with the work and are looking to work with the team to use the idea nationally! A fantastic achievement.
The social action has played a massive part in the local community for all kinds of different organisations. This is something the groups can be extremely proud of and will look back with fond memories.
Interested in being part of NCS 2020, find out more by contacting emmar@hgct.co.uk
