NCS is the National Citizen Service, a volunteer and social development programme for 15 to 17 year-olds that aims to bring together young people from a range of different places and backgrounds with the aim of developing social cohesion and trust.
NCS allows young people to make a mark on their communities, and nearly 5 million hours have been spent so far on community projects around the country.
Ayub Khan, a year 12 student from Longbenton Community College, has become involved in NCS, and strongly recommends the programme, saying, “Honestly, NCS changed me into a better person.”
Ayub told the Benton Bugle about his first experiences with the NCS residential course. “I will always remember the 6th of July 2015, my first day at National Citizen Service. It was absolutely terrifying! I had to leave to go all the way to Sheffield to an outdoor activities camp, full of new experiences: I dreaded to imagine what it was going to be like.”
The activities at the camp were challenging and varied. Ayub said, “Each day we would wake up at 7 am and do different activities until 7 pm. Abseiling, high ropes, raft building, night line, kayaking, camping, hiking and more. As the days went on I could tell I was changing. I was overcoming my fears of heights and meeting strangers.”
Overall, Ayub feels very positively about the NCS course, and has made some good friends from the experience. “I got to know everyone on my team. We did everything together and grew a really good bond. NCS has changed me to become a better person.”
For more information, go to http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/