Write a commentVolunteer Now has partnered with Co-operation Ireland to roll out NI National Citizen Service programmes taking place Summer and Autumn 2015 in 16 areas including Newry.
NI NCS is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all 15-17 year olds to build skills for employment such as resilience, confidence and leadership, build trust between people of different backgrounds, and create stronger communities where giving back is a way of life. After completing the initial programme, participants become NCS graduates, with access to a wide range of opportunities and support to continue making their mark in their communities.
NI NCS is open to all, regardless of background, experience or whether their strengths lie in sport, creativity or academics, with additional support provided to young people with learning or physical needs.
A summer 2014 NI NCS graduate, said: “NCS has taught me not to be scared of trying new things, to be adventurous and I have made awesome friends. If I were to change anything, it would be to be able to do it over and over again!”
The programme also involves young mentors, Charles who undertook this role previously said: “NCS is a brilliant programme. It builds confidence and communication skills, and it's a great experience. Also, the feeling after completing the social action project is great. It feels good to give something back to your community.”
In Northern Ireland, over 900 graduates have taken part in the programme to date under the direction of Co-operation Ireland and partners Volunteer Now, Belfast YMCA, YouthAction NI, Start360, St Columb’s Park House and YouthWorks CIC, dedicating over 12,000 hours to their local communities. Nationally, two million hours have already been volunteered by over 130,000 NCS participants to communities across England and Northern Ireland since 2012.
Peter Sheridan, Chief Executive at Co-operation Ireland said: “I am delighted that Co-operation Ireland has been appointed for the third time by the Department for Social Development to deliver Northern Ireland National Citizen Service. We are thrilled to be working once again with a great team of partner organisations. Together we want to build on the success of our previous programmes, success that is obvious today in engaged and compassionate NI teenagers, giving back and showcasing some of the skills they learnt on the programme.”
Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA said: “I welcome Co-operation Ireland as the strategic partner for NI NCS and I am confident they will help build on the success of the programme in the coming year.
“The young people of today are our leaders of tomorrow and that is why I chose to continue to invest in all of our futures through this additional funding of £400,000. This will enable a further 350 young people to engage in this life-changing programme.”
An independent evaluation of the NCS has shown a significant increase in a young person’s interest in their local area since taking part in the programme. Three quarters (74%) of teenagers post NCS agreed they were more likely to help out locally. Parents too noticed the difference after NCS, with four in five saying their child knew more about tackling problems in their local area and 83% of participants feeling more capable than they had realised*.
NI NCS teams will run this summer and autumn in East Belfast; Lower Falls/Greater Village; Shankill/Ardoyne; Rathcoole/Greencastle; Ballymena; Portrush/North Coast; DerryLondonderry; Omagh; Castlederg; Kesh/Ederney; Enniskillen; Newry; Armagh; Cookstown; Lurgan/Portadown; Newtownards/Ards Peninsula.
To begin the journey sign up at www.ncsyes.co.uk Or contact: jane.gribbin@volunteernow.co.uk / 028 9023 2020 for more information
