Summer of fun and success for National Citizen Service graduates

UKSA, the charity and maritime training centre, has been celebrating the success of 125 young people who took part in their National Citizen Service (NCS) programme over the summer holidays at a graduation ceremony held at Thorness Bay Holiday Park near Cowes.

During the three-week NCS summer activity programme delivered by UKSA, the youngsters completed social action projects, promoting awareness and running events raising £5,000 for eight local charities including The Mountbatten Hospice, The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Cherry Trees Care Home and Animal Welfare Isle of Wight.

Along with the charitable work undertaken, the young people were given the opportunity to get out of the classroom, discovering talents and making life-long friends. The three-week programme is specifically designed for teenagers to try something totally different after a busy school year.

UKSA’s CEO Ben Willows says: “The NCS programme fits perfectly with UKSA as it’s an extension of the type of work we already do with young people, easing that all-important transition from their school days to working life. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for them to have a greater awareness of their local community, actively raising funds and awareness of these deserving charities.

“It’s great to see the young people grow in confidence and improve their teamwork and leadership skills over the course of the three-weeks. We are delighted that seven of the young people from this summer’s NCS will be joining us at UKSA on Further Education courses in September.”

The course includes three phases over three weeks: a week-long residential stay at Calshot Activities Centre and another two weeks at UKSA with one week being residential. Supported by government funding, the cost of the programme is only £50 despite the total value being around £1,500.

Will Satterley, Education Manager at UKSA, adds: “The benefits of the programme are almost immeasurable as it offers young people experience living away from home, the chance to learn something different in a new environment and the chance to meet new people. Over the course of the programme they overcame challenges, pushed themselves into new and exciting territories and made friends for life.”

For more information about NCS on the Isle of Wight, please contact Ash on NCS@uksa.org or call 01983 301901