Programmes
like this have a crucial role to play in giving opportunities to young people
when they are on the cusp of adulthood but will be finding their feet socially
and emotionally.
This
year, the group I visited were taking part in a variety of community projects:
contributing to the development of a sensory area at BF Adventure,
participating in a project at the Dreadnought Centre (which provides a range of
support programmes for children and young people who are facing emotional and
behavioural problems) and a beach litter clean.
NCS
is a residential course, so it gives participants the opportunity to leave home
behind for a couple of weeks and immerse themselves in a fresh environment and
make new friends. This can be a great way to develop their confidence and
independence as it means those taking part are all in the same boat.
I
have met groups participating in NCS previously, and it has always been clear
to me just how beneficial the scheme is. I was working for David Cameron when
he first came up with the idea over a decade ago and it is good to see the
scheme growing. Huge congratulations to all those young people who took on the
challenge and for delivering something in their community. It was clear
from speaking to them that they enjoyed it and made new friends.
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