National Citizen Service (NCS) is set to expand its delivery network to include hundreds of partners which includes Tranmere Rovers In the Community (TRIC) in a move that will provide better value and experience for young people across England and Northern Ireland.
Charities, activity centres, Football Clubs and local Cricket Clubs are all part of the new network dedicated to making NCS an unforgettable experience for young people.
Programme costs are expected to reduce by 30% in real terms by 2024 when compared with the programme’s creation in 2009. This saving has been achieved by utilising economies of scale, removing duplication and reducing overheads.
NCS Trust will now manage delivery of NCS in three areas – the south west, north east and London - with four partners overseeing six other regions. These partners are Reed, Ingeus, EFL Trust and new partner, Manchester-based social enterprise, The Growth Company, who will oversee delivery in the North West.
TRIC’s NCS programme helps over 200 young people in the wider Wirral community each year, and recently had three groups over the 2019 summer holidays which was led by NCS Project Co-Ordinator Mamudo Dabo.
Raising funds for the likes of local charities such as the Alder Hey Children’s Hospice, the NCS students got up to plenty of beneficial activities during their three-week programme.
Dabo said: “It was an unbelievable experience for everyone involved in the programme. The young people have thoroughly enjoyed themselves from the feedback we have had from them and their parents.
“It is always nice seeing them enjoying it and them helping their local community in the way that they did, so it is something to admire.”
Cleo Parker, participant on NCS in 2017, added: “It gave me a really positive experience about how you overcome your challenges and it helped me learned new skills which I still use today and it’s a really great thing to have on my CV.
“I’ve become another person for the better, it’s been the biggest thing for me and now I’m happy where I am.”
Michael Lynas, Chief Executive, NCS Trust, said the recommissioning will “tie together learnings from the last ten years. Using the Trust’s experience to provide better value for money and linking it with our passion for serving local communities.
“In addition to cost savings through economies of scale the new network will also provide dedicated community engagement partners who will work with our partners and local councils to ensure that the unique needs of young people across England and Northern Ireland are met.
“I’m incredibly proud of everything that NCS has achieved in the last ten years. As it moves into the next phase of its life, I’m confident NCS can make a more significant difference for our young people and their communities than ever before.”
Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of The Growth Company, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been awarded this contract for NCS delivery across the North West. It’s a fantastic opportunity that will enable us, in collaboration with our local delivery partners, to reach more than 15,000 15-17 year-olds across the region each year. I’m confident it will complement our existing provision for young adults and make a real and lasting difference to those whose futures will be greatly enhanced by their NCS journey.”