For release 7th April 2020
With the uncertainty about social distancing restrictions, the 2020 summer programme can't continue in its original form. Read what this means for you.
Refund options will be offered to all participants who have signed up for the
Summer 2020 programme to date.
With up to 100,000 young people expected to take part in the UK's flagship youth
programme, the Trust is determined that teens don’t completely miss out on
their NCS experience.
Participants who were expecting to take part this summer will have the
opportunity to be part of an alternative free NCS 2020. We are urgently
developing the details of the alternative offer with the Department for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport and NCS suppliers, which could include:
STAYING CONNECTED: delivery of content through NCS digital channels,
focussing on the skills and life lessons not learnt in the classroom, taking part
whilst lockdown and social distancing continue and we all learn to adapt to a
new way of living.
KEEP DOING GOOD: supporting the young people signed up for Summer 2020, alongside NCS graduates and alumni, to mobilise young volunteers to help the country get back on its feet as self distancing guidelines begin to be lifted, restoring and reconstructing our society as we begin to adapt to a new normal.
MOVING FORWARDS: the full NCS experience will be available in 2021 and will
play a key part in giving young people the chance to enjoy a resumed sense of
freedom and to forge new friendships.
The Trust will also continue to support its school partners over the coming
months through its network, staff experience and capability to develop initiatives
that they will find supportive.
NCS Trust CEO Mark Gifford explained: “We completely understand the
disappointment this will cause to teenagers, parents and schools throughout the
country. But we’re absolutely committed to our vision of bringing young people
together and supporting them to thrive as connected, confident and caring
citizens.
“We believe in the power of young people to help themselves and others in times
of crisis, and so through our Staying Connected digital content we’ll be equipping
them with the necessary skills, advice and guidance to be both active in their
local communities and a leading force in our nation’s recovery from Covid-19.
“We have the opportunity to engage with young people in a different way,
creating the chance for them to still have a summer that turns ‘No You Can’t’ into
‘No We Can’. Never has that can-do attitude been more needed by our country
than it is today.”
Minister for Civil Society, Baroness Barran said: “It is vital we continue to
support young people, particularly in these unprecedented times. I am pleased
that the NCS will play its part but it is right that it makes changes to its summer
programme as keeping people healthy is our absolute priority.
"I hope the young people affected will understand why this decision has been
made. I encourage them and others to take part in the exciting, alternative
options from the NCS in the coming months."
All participants will be contacted automatically about their refund options over
the coming weeks. There is no need to contact NCS to apply for one.
Confirmation about how young people can take part in NCS in the future will be
provided online shortly.
Anyone who was expecting to take part in NCS this summer and has a question
for the Trust should go to the NCS website: https://wearencs.com/
End
For more information please contact Charlotte Speedy:
07801 215001 or Charlottespeedy@ncstrust.org.uk
About NCS
NCS is an experience like no other. Designed for 16-17 year olds across England and
Northern Ireland, NCS is a youth programme that runs every summer and autumn,
during school holidays. Teens get the opportunity to mix with a new crowd, live away
from home for a while, take on new challenges and in the process build lifelong
friendships
The programme is all about emboldening young people – by giving them a taste of
independence and equipping them with essential skills for life. NCSers then get a chance
to take these new-found skills for a test-run in their local community.
NCS is dedicated to providing a platform to make sure young people are heard and can
engage with their community by completing passion projects, raising awareness and
providing solutions to the issues they care about.
The experience might last just a few weeks, but the impact? That lasts a lot longer. Since
2009 nearly 600,000 young people have taken part in NCS, completing over 14.5 million
hours of community action, and gaining priceless life experiences.
NCS costs no more than £50 - with bursaries and support for those with special
educational needs or disabilities also available. NCS’s mission is to give every young
person the life-changing experience.
To find out more visit wearencs.com
Visit NCS social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
About NCS Trust
National Citizen Service Trust is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated by Royal
Charter and established to shape, support, champion and lead a thriving National Citizen
Service.
National Citizen Service Trust is registered in England and Wales with Royal Charter Body
number RC000894. Our registered office is at The Pembroke Building, Kensington Village,
Avonmore Road, London, W14 8DG.
To learn more about NCS Trust visit LinkedIn
To find out more, visit the website, or follow NCS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
