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AIBU?

National Citizen Service - another opportunity for the sharp elbowed?

60 replies

Figmentofmyimagination · 15/03/2019 10:15

I see in today’s paper that Cameron’s National Citizen Service is asking for £10 million for a rebranding. The only children I know who have been on an NCS programme are independently educated boys. Their parents spoke very positively of the NCS experience, especially its low cost. I wonder whether this is the best use of limited public funds.

OP posts:

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PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 15/03/2019 10:17

The only children I know who have been on an NCS programme are independently educated boys.

Really? All the kids from round these 'ere parts went, all kids from academy comprehensives.

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TheHolySmirk · 15/03/2019 10:19

But it's open to absolutely anyone, and it is ridiculously cheap.

I know loads of kids from what would be called 'rough' schools who were encouraged to sign up, and loved it.

They were motivated though. They were all into cadets, or scouts, or sports, or DofE.

You can't make kids want that kind of thing.

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monkeysox · 15/03/2019 11:16

They offer it for ten pounds in some more deprived areas.
I know a few kids who have done it.
Regular price is only fifty pounds isn't it.

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brizzlemint · 15/03/2019 11:17

They should put the money into schools instead and scrap the NCS.

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LoudBatPerson · 15/03/2019 11:20

My son took part in this last year and in his group alone there was a massive variety of backgrounds and he has made some great friends with a range of people.

It is not really very expensive (£50 last year).

Also I know they went round some schools locally offering places for £30 with advice that additional help will be available if needed.

Considering all food etc is included, I would say it is one of the more inclusive schemes around.

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MumW · 15/03/2019 11:56

DD1 participated in this a few years ago when the scheme was in it's infancy. It was a brilliant experience and the other participants were from a range of backgrounds and certainly weren't all independently educated. All the state schools in my area encourage their students to take part.

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MumW · 15/03/2019 11:58

Mimd you, £10 million to rebrand seems a hedious waste of money that could be better spent.

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Furrydogmum · 15/03/2019 12:05

My older son did it at the end of yr11 - all the drug taking, climbing out the window for nookie type kids were caught and sent home within 2 days of 1st residential 😬 he loved it, it built his confidence enormously and the following year he was asked to be a leader which he did.

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TwitterQueen1 · 15/03/2019 12:16

The only children I know who have been on an NCS programme are independently educated boys. What a very exclusive area you must live in

Busload after busload of 16 and 17 year-olds left from various schools in my area (south), including my state-educated DD. It's an amazing experience - outdoor activities, learning how to shop, budget, do presentations, use public transport, work in teams and on their own initiative....

I think it's 10 million invested very well.

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southnownorth · 15/03/2019 12:18

My daughter done it last year, she went to the local comp. Cost was £40 as we booked early. She loved it.

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Hollowvictory · 15/03/2019 12:19

They've got a new ceo and he's a bit of a prat by all accounts. They do need a rebrand the name puts lots of kids off, but they need to be creative and do it cheaply

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TixieLix · 15/03/2019 12:22

My daughter did NCS, as did lots of her friends round our area, and they're most definitely NOT independently educated/posh/rich/privileged. My DD really enjoyed the experience.

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TheWomanin12B · 15/03/2019 12:25

I have never even heard of this. Will Google. Sounds great!

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OKBobble · 15/03/2019 12:25

The only people I personally know who have been are state educated girls OP.
Anyway I suppose it is a different way of starting a private schools are evil thread!!

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SunburstsOrMarbleHalls · 15/03/2019 12:29

There were no privately educated children on the course when both my daughter and son did it. The local co-coordinators only go into state schools to promote it.

It was a fantastic way to spend the summer and meet new people from different schools especially when there are no other services locally that engage with 16 year old's. For £50 it was fantastic value for money and both DC had a great time while learning new skills and raising money for local charities.

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brizzlemint · 15/03/2019 12:31

10 million? Just get their current web page admin people to change the name to whatever they want on the web page and then add the new name when they order new stationery. No need for ridiculously expensive consultants who are probably the family of somebody who works for the NCS

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bigbluebus · 15/03/2019 12:34

My comprehensive school educated niece (who lives in a fairly deprived area) did it a few years ago. Cost £30 I think. I know of youngsters local to me who have done it too and they are definitely not at public school. I think it's sounds great for that age group but not sure spending money on re-branding is beneficial to the youngsters!

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MargoLovebutter · 15/03/2019 12:34

I don't think it is £10m well-invested at all. How is re-branding going to help young people?

NCS delivers to a tiny proportion of young people and costs taxpayers an absolute fortune.

Scouts, Guides, DofE, uniformed groups all do similar programmes to much larger numbers of young people at NO cost to taxpayers.

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nellyitsme · 15/03/2019 13:14

And this is in a climate of cuts that are decimating youth service provision throughout the country children with special educational needs being excluded from school with nowhere to go, gangs and knife crime. Children whose families are living in homeless shelters and families reliant on food banks. I could go on .....

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havingtochangeusernameagain · 15/03/2019 13:17

In my area it is a 3 or 4 week programme for £35. And if you are really hard up, it's free. It is not exclusive at all.

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havingtochangeusernameagain · 15/03/2019 13:17

PS I think I may change career. £10 million to come up with a new name and logo? I'll do it for £10,000!

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Bluebell878275 · 15/03/2019 13:29

My step-daughter is doing it this Summer and really looking forward to it. We are by no means posh or loaded.

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tattyheadsmum · 15/03/2019 13:37

Does this read to anyone else like "my editor wants a negative story about lefty government spending, and middle class families"?

I'll look forward to seeing where a story like this pops up.

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Hollowvictory · 15/03/2019 13:42

I can't imagine many rich kids would want to do it. And unis aren't bothered about it. I'd want my kids to do it, keep them busy in the school hols and I think they would enjoy it and get a lot out of it for a cheap price.

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TheFlis12345 · 15/03/2019 13:43

There is a lot of misinformation on this thread. They do not have a new CEO, Michael Lynas has been there for years. And they are not offering £10m for a new logo, that is the maximum contract value for a new marketing agency and will cover all their advertising for several years.

I won’t explain my connection to NCS as it would be totally outing (other than to say I do not work for them) but I have worked closely with them and the work they do is amazing. I have met many teens from all backgrounds who have been in the course and heard so many stories about how it completely changed their lives for the better.