Lucy Allan MP has today visited teenagers taking part in the National Citizen Service at Meeting Point House in Telford Town Centre.
The National Citizen Service is a Government initiative available to those aged 16 and 17 for two weeks over the summer holidays. NCS was founded in 2009 to help young people achieve their potential and build bridges between communities. The aim of the programme is to ensure young people interact with their peers from different social backgrounds. Students are able to learn from business and community leaders and develop vital skills for working life, from preparing a budget to delivering a presentation.
NCS receives significant government funding to enable young people from all backgrounds to benefit from the programme, and continues to go from strength to strength through their partnerships with schools, colleges and further education providers. To date, over 600,000 teenagers have taken part in NCS.
As part of the visit, Lucy met with those taking part in the course about their experience thus far and delivered a talk on public speaking. She also joined a session delivered by Loud Speaker, a local business providing workshops on body language, voice impact and performance mentality.
The National Citizen Service has said:
"In 2019, we created a new network of Management and Delivery Partners ensuring value for money, and an experience of the highest standard for young people wherever they take part in NCS.
This is further helped by our incredible 150+partner organisations including charities, football clubs, private enterprises, local councils, schools and colleges.
2020 presented new challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we were able to give our young people a new, digital offering, allowing us to adapt our programme for the summer and well into the future.
Our newly launched Youth Voice Forum made up of 36 young people will enable us to continue our vision now and in the future, and ensure the voices and opinions of young people are at the heart of everything we do."
Commenting, Lucy Allan MP said:
"It was a real pleasure to visit NCS once again and see the fantastic work they do to build young people's confidence and develop the skills they need for success.
I witnessed the most amazing session being run by Loud Speaker, preparing young people for interviews and other important events in their futures. Whether for a job interview, networking or simply meeting new people at college or university, it is vital that young people have the knowledge of how to present themselves and interact in a calm and confident manner.
NCS has come a long way, and I am so impressed by what I saw today. Everyone should have the chance to go on a session with Loud Speaker and everyone should have the chance to take part in the National Citizen Service."
You can find out more about NCS via the following link: https://wearencs.com
You can find out more about Loud Speaker via the following link: https://www.loudspeaker.org.uk
