My NCS Trip

National Citizen Service

Closure of the NCS Program

The National Citizen Service (NCS) program, designed to foster leadership, friendship, and a connection to nature among young individuals, faces an uncertain future primarily due to political factors. Funding challenges have emerged as a significant obstacle. The initial financial backing that supported the NCS had been gradually diminished, compelling program officials to reconsider its sustainability. Government budgets have been heavily scrutinized over recent years, with various initiatives vying for limited resources. Consequently, the prioritization of spending has often side lined youth programs, which, despite their integral societal value, are deemed non-essential compared to immediate financial and political agendas.

Additionally, shifting government priorities have focused more on immediate economic concerns rather than long-term societal impacts. This short-sighted approach could lead to future societal problems, as we neglect the needs of future generations. Recent policies aimed at addressing pressing issues like post-pandemic economic recovery have often deemed programs like NCS less critical. The change to the Labour party has also led to a new allocation of funds, resulting in the end of NCS. Hopefully, new programs will be introduced to help young people, providing city children with much-needed opportunities to connect with nature and develop essential social skills.

The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a youth program designed to help young people through personal development, fostering essential skills such as teamwork, leadership, and community engagement. The NCS, encourages civic responsibility and social cohesion. There were three choices of programme: boss it, live it and change it. All programmes involve outdoor activities that build resilience and confidence, incorporating fun adventure challenges. I chose Boss it, which meant that on days that we weren't exploring the beauty of Derbyshire, we were tasked with creating a product to be sold via the NCS website.

NCS was a great opportunity to meet peers from diverse backgrounds and collaborate with them on meaningful projects and explore nature by abseiling and weaselling together. These great experiences have nurtured personal growth, friendship, and allowed me to form lasting connections with a group of people we may not have met outside of the programme.

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, getting back to nature has become more important than ever, especially for young people like me. The constant barrage of social media, digital distractions, and the pressures of modern life can take a toll on mental and physical well-being. Reconnecting with nature and others is important to feel grounded. Spending time outdoors has been scientifically proven to help reduce stress and improve overall health. The simple act of being outside away from booming cities can help us develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility towards its preservation.

Moreover, NCS can help some young people to realise the importance of building strong, meaningful relationships. Face-to-face interactions help develop social skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence which many people lack today. These connections are vital for personal growth and can provide a support system that is often lacking in the digital world. And all these skills are vital in many workspaces and so NCS can help prepare young people with the skills for careers they wish to peruse.