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)

Ah, that's grand

That's great Freakin, bet he's very pleased did NCS

He even said he's glad I forced him

Goingtobeawesome how are you feeling?

Ds2 is so different. He's been interacting loads. Chatting and playing cards tonight.

I'm feeling very tearful. I hadn't realised he was away all this week, away locally next week then doing stuff the following two as well. I'm sure he'll be fine as he's very capable and a great young man but he's my first born and I will miss him in all sorts of ways. And one of his siblings has eaten his giant sausage roll I got him though denying it .

Glad your DS has had such a great time with lasting positive effects.

Aw he'll love it. There'll be a shop on the way for another sausage roll. I packed them for ds2's first day.

Ds2 is going on 3rd week today. I'm not sure if they get fed though?

No week 3 is packed lunches. Dd has 2 more days, including today. She's still loving it, even the getting up at 7 at the weekend (she has a long commute).

Thank BGO. I did pack one and found out when we got there it's packed lunch. They probably did tell ds2.

DS got there safely. Let us know hours later as his phone battery ran out!

My dteen did it last year and it did boost her confidence, her NCS team were fine about her not completely finishing the last week because we were away but she did extra volunteer hours at a local supper club which was ran by the local church. And could graduate.
I also agree it was the best £50 we spent and she got a lot out of it.

Ds2 is doing a sponsored walk on Friday with ncs for a local mental health group that's starting up. I only got the sponsor form tonight and he's already got £90

He's going from strength to strength.

I think the government should concentrate more on this type of thing rather than camhs.

That's good - dd refused to ask for sponsorship & I had to force her to take £20.

I did the asking tbh

She said it would be embarrassing to have more than the minimum (silly thing). Anyway she's finished now & very pleased to have taken part.

They didn't have a minimum.

I have to find something for fancy dress for him.

My DS is home tomorrow and I can not wait. Haven't heard from him today and the worst thing that seems to have happened is run out of time for an activity and the food being terrible.

My dd was so feckin lucky. She was on the TV, in the papers etc - Tiny Tempah chose to visit her group as their charity project was youth targeted and music related.

Was the most amazing 4 weeks. Can't recommend it enough. Two weeks away for £50 for a start!

Ds2 is so much more confident and he's only in week 3.

Aw bet you can't wait Going.

QOD how bloody exciting! Great memories for her.

Ds2 won best fancy dress. And a girl from the group said everyone loves ds2 It's like dh said ds2 hasn't got any badness in him. He just needed to get over the social anxiety barrier and the real home is shining through.

Him not home

Excellent!
My dd hadn't done sleepovers until
NCS lol. Big step but the making of her

Talk about being thrown in at the deep end QOD Are you QOD from years ago? I've had a few names.

@FreakinScaryCaaw I think I am 😂
Been here since 2009 and always QOD except I was stuck as QOSRestYeMerryGentlemen since xmas as I'd forgotten my password - just reset it this week haha

Do you remember spook and the big ball of elastic. Think that was WWW?

I went to a London meet up once. I'm from up north so was a trek but worth it.