National Citizen Service launches in Wales
Hundreds of young people from Rhondda, Cardiff, Swansea and Carmarthen are getting involved in a life-changing youth movement this autumn.
The movement, National Citizen Service (NCS), is a flagship government youth engagement programme which has proved life-changing for young people who have taken part.
With activities and workshops which build their confidence, and teach them a range of useful new skills the young people really grow during the programme. This culminates in them giving something back to their communities, making a positive difference to a cause that really matters to them.
Welsh NCS is being delivered by Swansea based Enageg4Life, who have been delivering the programme in England since its pilot phase in 2011.
CEO Gareth Holohan said:
As a Welsh company, we are incredibly proud to be bringing NCS to Wales. The power of the programme is incredible, and we have witnessed first-hand the inspirational change in the young people who have taken part.
This summer the young people who took part in the programme with us in England raised over £28,000 for local charities and causes in just 3 weeks - truly inspiring.
The programme kicks off today (30 October), as all the participants head to the Urdd activity centre in Llangrannog, where they’ll participate in a series of activities such as abseiling, gorge-walking and high-ropes that help to build confidence, ignite team-work and develop leadership skills.
They’ll then be back in their home communities on Friday (31 October), with Swansea and Carmarthen taking part in a day of activities at the Liberty Stadium, while the Cardiff and Rhondda contingent spend the day at the Cardiff Opera House.
Saturday (1 November) will then see them all brought back together for a Business & Innovation day at the awe-inspiring Celtic Manor, with some truly fantastic Welsh speakers in the form of Professor Marc Clement and Professor Meirion Thomas.
Sunday (2 November) will then see the participants all converge on the landmark Millennium Stadium for a day, hearing from inspirational sporting figures, taking part in music & film workshops, and engaging with charities and third sector organisations, both national brands and those from their local communities.
They’ll then go back into their communities, fired up and inspired by the experiences they’ve had, confident and passionate about making a difference to a cause that matters to them. There have been some truly magnificent projects on the programme in England, with participants organising festivals, painting community centres and running triathlons, all for a good cause. With the excitement levels already building amongst the young people there should be some great projects to look forward to over the coming weeks.
Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson said:
It is fantastic that hundreds of young Welsh people now have the opportunity to become part of National Citizen Service. Thanks to NCS over 100,000 young people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are becoming more engaged in their communities and learning skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Wales Office Minister Baroness Randerson said:
The Welsh NCS is a fantastic programme that gives young people across Wales a real opportunity to learn first hand how working with others and constructive partnerships can bring results.
I’m sure the hundreds of young people taking part in the activities and workshops this week in Wales will learn many valuable skills which will give them the confidence they need to help fulfil their potential and make a positive change to their community.
I’m delighted we are supporting the NCS in playing their part in helping to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.
To find out more about National Citizen Service and the difference it has made in the communities in which it is delivered contact Engage4Life at info@engage4life.co.uk
More information:
Engage4Life set out with a vision to deliver the services, skills, & experiences individuals require in order to grow, realise their potential & contribute to the lives of others in a positive way. They have been working with the Cabinet Office on NCS since its pilot phase and so have some of the most experienced staff in the country within the organisation. As the largest delivery partner in each of the regions in which they operate, they continue to play a key role with the NCS Trust in developing best practice in delivering a high quality programme for all participants.