Cumbrian School Leavers given chance to take part in ‘Summer with a difference!’

Young people leaving school this year are being invited to experience a ‘Summer with a difference’. Connexions Cumbria, in partnership with Outward Bound Trust, is offering 500 school leavers a place on National Citizen Service (NCS) which is running for the first time ever this summer.

If you’re in year 11 and you want to do something different this summer then NCS could be for you!

NCS involves taking part in fun and challenging activities. It will also give you the opportunity to help others and give something back to your community through a local voluntary project. By taking part in NCS you’ll learn new skills that will make your future brighter and show that young people can make a positive impact in their community.

You will be part of a close-knit team of around 12 young people. Some of your team-mates could be your friends from school, but you will also be mixing with completely new people and making new friends. Your team will have three dedicated support workers, from Connexions Cumbria or one of our partner youth groups, who will support you throughout the programme.

NCS takes place over the summer after your exams and is a great way to start to build and develop all the skills needed for adult life. It is also COMPLETELY FREE!

The programme is three weeks full time, including two weeks away from home on residential activities and a further 30 hours on a part time basis.

You will spend the first week in the Lake District with your team, taking on adventure challenges and developing leadership skills with expert instructors from the Outward Bound Trust.

Then you spend a week living with your team-mates close to your own community, getting a taste of what adult life is really like and learning about issues in your area.

In the third week, you’ll be living back at home but planning with your team mates to take part in some voluntary action to benefit your community– such as an environmental project, charity event or a service for local people.

After that, you will need to carry out your voluntary project part-time, for around 30 hours over a period of two or three weeks.

Finally, in autumn, you’ll attend a prestigious celebration and graduation event with hundreds of other young people who have completed National Citizen Service and made their mark in Cumbrian society.

We’ve already had hundreds of applications from young people all over Cumbria, but there ARE still places left so if you feel you are up for the challenge and would like to apply then contact us on 0800 435 709 or speak to your personal adviser in school. Remember it’s completely free and your chance to have an experience of a lifetime this summer.

Connexions Cumbria looks forward to spending a summer with a difference with you!!

Barrrow Connexions office is situated at 237 – 241 Dalton Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1PQ.