National citizens service. Has anyone's teen been on it? Ds2 went this morning. He didn't know a soul.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Ds2 is 16 and just finished school. He's very shy and hasn't made any close friends at school.

I talked him into doing the ncs course and he's gone off this morning to a yha. He was really brave. I managed to get him talking to a lady before I left him and he looked happy enough. Not heard from him so that's a good sign.

It sounds really exciting. I went on something similar at his age with the YTS. (Shows my age)

I should add.....he didn't want to do it at first but I told him that he pulled out that would be fine....it was only 50pound. He went to the meetings beforehand and met people he'd go with and decided to go.

He's now signing up for graduate programme so he can help organise.

Hopefully my younger Dteen will do it next year

Ds1 did it 3 years ago and loved it. DS1 began it 2 weeks ago. Week one was okay but in week 2 he was very unhappy and ended up coming home on day 3. He was put in the drama group.

Couldn't persuade dd to do it. But has lots on with work etc anyway.

It's fantastic. Blummin princess dds turned their noses up at it. DS loved it, dd1 now works for them and dd2 is on the international version.

Still haven't heard so at least I don't have to drive 100 miles to get him

My DS did it about 5 years ago. He didn't know anyone on it & only had a few friends at school. He had a great time & made some good friends, who he still meets up with during the uni holidays. I consider it the best £50 I ever spent.

I would have loved DS1 to do it but he wouldn't. See if I can persuade DS2 next year, it sounds great.

It really costs about £1400 per dcs doesn't it? I pai850 but people on benefits pay less AFAIK?

I paid 50

"David Cameron's citizen scheme is helping the young rewrite their future" www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/david-camerons-citizen-scheme-is-helping-the-young-rewrite-their-future-a3592636.html

Dd1 half way through second week, enjoying it, with a lovely bunch of teens. Not impressed with the food, said they're all very hungry.

DD2 booked on it mid August, she's insisting she's not going but has at least agreed to attend the meeting next week so fingers crossed

I paid £30. They did an assembly at DDs school and if you signed up then it was £20 cheaper.

Probably was cheaper for ds2 as they did assembly. He didn't tell me though.

Did did it, loved it. Only criticism, we had family holiday booked for part of the last week of the project, which we told them about before signing on, no problem and she was totally involved up to then. Missed two days and wasn't allowed to "graduate". No biggie in the scheme of things, but to a 16yr old it was.

It's £50 for everyone. Discounts for those on benefits. Freakin you must be thinking of something else as the max payable is £50

Freakin' is right, parents pay £50 or £30 and the government spend an additional £1400 per child.

I meant the real cost per dcs is 1400 ish. Not that we pay that.

My ds has his name down for next summer when he'll be 16.

They have already sent me a him a gazillions emails.

Every teen I know of that's done it has loved it.

Yes, after some rioting somewhere, the Government basically slashed the Youth Service's budget by about 80% to put all the money into this scheme (big launch, looked like they were being proactive), but what actually happened was that anyone who fancied going on this scheme (and my dc have - this isn't a criticism of those taking up the offer) get a massively subsidised 2 residential + 1 other weeks away, and the targeted work the Youth service used to be able to do - you know with those who really need it - just doesn't happen any more.
I remember when ds went a few years ago, it was £50 or £35 if you paid in advance by credit card (after the school assembly). Once again, benefiting those who had a credit card..... I ended up booking about 4 people on (I figured even if they all defaulted, it would still be excellent value for ds, tbh).

I got a text from the leader. She said ds2 is doing brilliantly and the staff love him. He's really come out of his shell and apparently a lass fancies him. Hopefully he won't find out I know that!

Made my day hearing that. All of his teachers used to sing his praises. Hopefully he'll start realising how lovely he is?

Great news. I've honestly heard nothing but good things about it from attendees and organisers. Big up 🙌🏻 Cameron for this alone!

I hope it keeps going.

Where's ds2 and what have they done with the real one?

He's come back a different lad.

This has helped him 100 times more than CAMHS.

I really wish more kids like ds2 went. Hope it keeps going.

Mixed views from DD1 who starts week 3 tomorrow. Loved the group she was put with, very friendly bunch who have now got a group WhatsApp and are planning to meet up later in hols, so all good socially.

She found it very strict, described it as being a bit like the army, not allowed out of your room after 10pm, felt like they treated them like much younger kids. They were all hungry a lot of the time as well.

I think it varies in different areas.

I'm glad she's done it though, it's all good experience and fab to put on her CV.

Ds2 just said how much fun it was. I'll see how he finds next week.

Yes it's good for cv.