Guest post by Soda Dioum
Working for NCS as part of Groundwork London is an experience of a lifetime. Who knew 3 weeks, 12 young people and various activities could change your life and possible the trajectory of your career? Groundwork is a charity that aims to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities. Passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances. They are proud to be the largest provider of National Citizen Service (NCS) in London.
What is NCS?
NCS was designed specifically for 16 and 17 year olds it is a youth development programme that exists to engage, unite, and empower young people building their confidence so they can go out there and achieve their dreams, no matter where they are from or what their background is. From the life skills they develop to the friends they make, NCS’s ambition is clear – They want to give teenagers an opportunity to unleash their potential, to build their self-belief and get them prepped for life after school.
The Programme
The first week working on the programme is an adrenaline-fuelled blur. From abseiling to kayaking, you get to experience the adventure of the great outdoors. It is a week filled with excitement, laughter, and occasionally some tears but mostly it is filled joy. You get to see the young people bond and support them in stepping outside their comfort zones helping them overcome their fears.
Week 2 and 3 of the programme is all about developing life skills and social action. As a leader it is your job to support the young people in undertaking a social action project in their local community. From Instagram campaigns on mental health to cleaning up their local park, the young people will work with various charities in their borough to find creative ways give back.
The best part of the programme as a Leader is getting to know all the young people and earning their respect. The second-best part? Being able to provide them with the tools to help them succeed in life by delivering a range of sessions like public speaking and employability, giving them the chance to learn things they may not, from mainstream education.
How to get involved
Applications for Summer 2021 are now open. If you have any experience working with young people whether that be professional or voluntary the NCS Groundwork London team want to hear from you. Check out the Team Leader and Wave Leader job descriptions and apply for the one that’s best for you!
For more information email ncsworkforce@groundwork.org.uk
