News Date: Monday 19th March 2012
Minister urges schools in his constituency to encourage pupils to take part in the National Citizen Service programme
Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, is urging schools in his constituency to help raise awareness for this summer’s National Citizen Service programme.
The programme will provide a fantastic experience for 16 year olds across the country which will see them stay a fortnight away from home to embark on a packed schedule of adventure and personal development activities. This will be followed by a three to four weeks community element, allowing the teenagers to develop social action projects to benefit their area. In all, National Citizen Service participants will spend nearly three quarters of a million hours on social action projects in local communities across England this summer.
Tim is the Minister for Children and Families and is responsible for overseeing the programme.
He commented:
‘My colleagues and I have been working very hard on the NCS programme and I would like to see as many 16 year olds as possible in my constituency, as well as across the country, participate in it. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils from different areas to mix together and give something back to their communities. I am doing what I can to spread the word about the scheme and I am convinced that pupils in my constituency would really enjoy and benefit from the experience.’
Over 8,400 teenagers participated in last year’s pilots. The largest provider reported that 96% of graduates felt more confident and 86% more responsible for making a difference to their local area. 9 out of 10 parents of graduates would recommend the programme to others.
National Citizen Service is mainly free and all providers offer financial assistance to participants to keep access open.
Tim also went on to say:
‘I am asking schools to work with their local provider and allow them to make a presentation to children during an assembly or set up a stall at parents’ evenings’
The NCS provider in West Sussex is the Football League Trust and the contact is Loo Brackpool on 07795 677075 or LBrackpool@fltrust.co.uk
For further information about the NCS programme please contact ncs.pilots@education.gsi.gov.uk or look online at www.direct.gov.uk/ncs
