[O]ver 1000 young people from Cumbria, the largest cohort since the programme started in 2011, have started their National Citizen Service (NCS) journey and will enjoy a once-in-lifetime summer experience.
Today at 11am the first group of 84 young people departed from West Cumbria (72) and Eden (12) for their unique NCS summer experience which is delivered locally by Inspira.
NCS is the country’s fastest growing youth programme, open to all 15 and 17 year olds across England and Northern Ireland. It is a unique three week full-time programme focused around fun and discovery, with participants volunteering at least 30 hours to a community project they create to address a local issue important to them.
The group are heading for Howtown Outward Bound Activity Centre for their first week on the programme, then Newton Rigg for a week to experience independent living.
Mark Bowman, CEO, Inspira said,“We’re delighted once again to be sending out over 1000 young people from Cumbria on NCS once again this summer, and we look forward to seeing their social action projects as they progress through the programme.”
The programme is designed to create a more cohesive society by mixing young teenagers from a wide variety of backgrounds, while supporting their transition into adulthood by enabling them to develop essential skills for work and life.
NCS also empowers young people to come together to create and deliver a community project of their choice, addressing a local issue for the benefit of others.
1.5 million hours have already been volunteered by tens of thousands NCS graduates to communities across England and Northern Ireland since 2011.
Coaches departed for Ullswater Outward Bound Centre at 11am from the Halston Aparthotel, in Carlisle and Whitehaven Civic Hall, followed by pickups at 11:30am at Penrith Bus Station and the Inspira Centre in Workington.
Inspira also delivers NCS in Lancashire, across the two counties, around 3400 young people will be going out on programme.
