When I see a leading member of the Government talking about a new policy or initiative my thought is always, ‘what’s in it for Crawley?’
National Citizen Service, launched by the Prime Minister five years ago, is now providing opportunities for young people in our town, and is being organised by the Crawley Town Community Foundation.
NCS is a programme open to 15 to 17-year-olds. It is designed to encourage personal and social development through a range of activities and projects requiring leadership, teamwork and communication.
In recent weeks I have been very pleased to see that the Community Foundation have been going into Crawley schools and colleges; including Hazelwick, Oriel, Ifield Community College and Central Sussex College, to tell young people about the opportunities that NCS can provide.
I would strongly urge all local secondary schools and colleges to take part as NCS is a great opportunity for young people to develop existing skills, and to learn new ones as well.
The Spring Programme will consist of a four day residential course in Buckinghamshire from Monday 28th to Thursday 31st March, followed by a three day community project in Crawley from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd April.
The Spring Programme Social Action Project will then run from Tuesday 5th April, until the graduation ceremony on Saturday 23rd April. Last year this Project raised hundreds of pounds for local good causes.
In January, I was delighted when David Cameron announced the expansion of NCS.
The Government will be ensuring more than £1 billion goes to NCS over the next four years, meaning that by 2021, NCS will cover 60 per cent of all 16 year olds.
It will be the largest programme of its kind in Europe, and schools will be expected to provide every student with the opportunity to take part, and tie NCS into the curriculum.
Research undertaken nationally for the Cabinet Office has shown that participants of all NCS 2014 programmes were extremely positive about their overall experiences. Nine out of ten participants said they found their time on the scheme worthwhile; and around nine out of ten also said they wanted to continue to be involved with National Citizen Service in the future.
An additional study also undertaken by Ipsos MORI discussed the possibility that NCS may deliver several longer-term benefits, such as increased earnings due to enhanced skills and the development of leadership qualities, as well as more physical activity.
The Crawley Town Community Foundation will also be attending at my Apprenticeship & Jobs Fair, on Friday 4th March, at the Civic Hall from 10am to 3pm.
Entry is free to all jobseekers, and the Community Foundation will be on hand to talk about opportunities through NCS, as well as vacancies at the Foundation itself.
The Foundation also run a BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport. This starts in September 2016, and opens pathways to university, careers in sport, as well as scholarships in the United States.
The Community Foundation will be taking part in the NCS National Day of Action on Saturday, 5th March, at 1.30pm on the Community Ball Court outside the Checkatrade.com Stadium ahead of Crawley Town’s game against Morecambe at 3pm.
If you are interested in taking part, or would like to find out more, I would urge you to come down for a chat with the Foundation’s helpful and friendly staff. Alternatively, feel free to call 01233 600142, or email: ncs@crawleytownfc.com
Pictures: Henry Smith MP at the launch of the National Citizen Service Autumn Programme 2015 organised by the Crawley Town Community Foundation, at the Checkatrade.com Stadium on 29th August 2015. Images courtesy of James Boardman/Crawley Town Community Foundation