National Citizens Service (NCS)

[havenlady]

Just signed my 17 yr old DS for this. £30 for 2 residential weeks, plus a further week being mentored to do something called "Voluntary action".
Anyone else's kids doing it? Anyone had any experience of it?

[BackforGood]

Not come across it by this name, but sounds pretty similar to 'The Challenge' which is this Gmnt's "engaging Youth" flagship idea. That's offered to all Yr11s around here, after GCSE, to 'engage them'.
Was excellent, tbh, but filled up with kids who were pretty 'engaged' anyway .
Great from our pov though.

[lmgeorge92]

Hello
I'm a youth worker and I helped with a NCS course ran from last October, due to the school holidays it ran slightly differently but in essence was the same.
I'm a massive advocate of the course (and also, Backforgood, the challenge) as both provide opportunities for young people to engage with other peers they might not have met, learn valuable skills such as team work, delegating and leadership, it also makes a point of recognising achievement, emphasising volunteering and just keeps them busy at a time when they might otherwise not be doing anything.
I'm still engaged with some of the group I workwith, who have gone on to be involved with other projects. Plus, it looks great on CV/UCAS application.
There's sports ambasssadors who are an incredible influence.
Basically, I think it's great and it's looking like this or similar will become compulsory in the next few years. I believe this is the first time that NCS has had a charge, but £30 is a bargain really.
sorry, will step off my soap box now but hope this helps.

[havenlady]

Thanks Imgeorge - it is great to hear from someone with first hand experience. Yes £30 is a complete bargain! It's hard to see why most parents aren't grabbing the opportunity (but I know that is an a big question in itself). I am hoping that there will be a thoroughly mixed bunch of kids, and that it will help my DS look further beyond his current (fairly limited and self-centred) horizons...

[niceguy2]

My DD is doing it and personally I think it is a great idea.

I've been to the meetings and it seems like a great opportunity for them to meet new friends, do something different, positive and constructive.

Otherwise what else do they do? Sit around the house fiddling with their phones and moaning. No thanks! Get your arse out and do something in the real world!

I'd happily pay twice as much!! lol

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

Just found this thread. My son is interested in signing up. Hope I'm not too late....
It sounds a really fantastic opportunity. I wondered if anyone's child has done it already and could give some feedback??

[StabInTheDark]

Allfurcoatandnoknickers DD1 has done it twice now and is looking to volunteer as a group helper this summer because she enjoyed it so much! I've just asked her and she said she's happy to answer any questions from you/your son if that's any help? From my point of view, it was brill! Kept her occupied for three weeks, she made loads of new friends (she still keeps in touch with them now), confidence came on in leaps and bounds and a lot of opportunities for further activities arose following on from it! Looks good on her personal statement for uni too!

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

That's great to hear thanks. He hasn't been massively enthusiastic as he's up to his neck in GCSE revision, but I'm hoping he'll enjoy it.

[Amaranthus]

As a teenager who has recently taken part, I can tell you now that NCS cater to bullies as I was dismissed from the programme after being bullied while the bullies were allowed to stay on. The only week that was fun was the first week, about 10 people have left on their own accord because it wasn't what they were promised. They have false advertising and they don't take issues such as bullying seriously.