MP Maria Miller met young people taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme in Basingstoke to talk to them about the programme. Basingstoke was a pilot for this scheme back in 2011 and since then the scheme has gone from strength to strength.
Maria met the local teenagers at BCOT, where they were learning about branding, creating and selling new products as part of a healthy lifestyle workshop. The group were also due to visit and work with Inspero, the local charity as part of their work with community groups.
Maria said: “The National Citizen Service gives young people a unique opportunity to get involved in new and challenging activities, grow in confidence, get new skills, work together as a team to plan and deliver a project to benefit their community, and to meet new people. From talking to the people taking part today, it is clear that they are having a great time and would thoroughly recommend the scheme to friends and family.”
“It is great news that the National Citizen Service is going from strength to strength in Basingstoke. Despite the pandemic we have approximately 900 young people in Hampshire participating this summer. The students were understandably disappointed not to be able to participate in residential activities but were making the most of a great range of opportunities available. ”
“Over 500,000 young people have taken part since NCS’s inception in 2011. This is an opportunity every 16 year old can get involved in after their exams. Congratulations to the Basingstoke young people who have taken part this year.”
The NCS is a unique Government-backed programme for 16 and 17 years olds, that brings together young people from different backgrounds and through a full-time three or four week programme (followed by a 30 hour social action project) helps them to develop greater confidence, responsibility, resilience and skills, as well as giving them the experience of volunteering for their local communities.
