News
Citizen Service Will Provide More Opportunities says National Youth Agency
23 July 2010
The National Youth Agency has welcomed the Coalition Government’s National Citizen Service (NCS), a two month summer programme for 16 year olds.
Fiona Blacke, National Youth Agency chief executive, attended the launch event and said:
“The National Citizen Service has the potential to become a landmark for young people in their transition to adulthood. It offers them an exciting set of experiences, including volunteering.
“Volunteering gives young people the chance to make a difference to others and their community - helping them to gain new life experiences and broaden their outlook, while developing their skills and giving them a chance to meet other young people from different backgrounds.
Ms Blacke adds: “The value of the programme will be in the range of experiences it offers young people; mixing with others from different backgrounds and coming together to work on a social action programme together."
"It will be really important to ensure consistency in delivering the programme across the country and quality standards will be critical if the programme is to deliver the kind of experience young people say they want," said Ms Blacke.
“We also expect it will demonstrate to organisations and communities alike the energy and creativity of young people, so that they are seen as an asset to be cherished, rather than a problem to be solved.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• In 2008, just over a quarter (26%) of young people aged 16 to 24 volunteer formally, at least once a month, according to the Citizenship Survey for April – December 2008.
About the National Youth Agency
The National Youth Agency (NYA) works in partnership with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations to support and improve services for young people. Our particular focus is on youth work and we believe strongly that by investing in young people’s personal and social development, young people are better able to live more active and fulfilling lives.
Working with young people, we advocate for more youth-friendly services and policies. We have four themes:
• Developing quality standards in work with young people
• Supporting services for young people
• Developing the youth workforce
• Promoting positive public perceptions of young people
We deliver our work through training and consultancy, campaigning, publishing and on-line communications. Through our activities we want to ensure that young people have a strong voice and positive influence in our society.