NCS (national citizenship) is a four-week programme that allows you to meet new friends, further develop existing skills, which pushes you to go outside your comfort zone. In the summer of 2019, I took part in the programme along side my friends and I definitely recommend it for others.
In week 1 we were separated into groups and although I was, I was split up from my original friends in the end I was grateful as I met some amazing new people. We took part in team building exercises pushing individuals to face their fears, including Jacob’s ladder and rock climbing. We stayed in small cabins at the facilities, although they were not the most luxury.
For the second week we were staying in university accommodation providing a realistic insight for those who will be thinking about university in the future. An important element is helping the community different projects focusing on all age ranges and abilities. My group focused on a workshop in South Wimbledon that proved people with physical and learning disabilities a chance to connect with one another and society.
We completed two weeks of volunteer work including a sponsorship day, fundraising day and several days of physical volunteering. In total we raised a total of four hundred pounds which went towards supplying new equipment including paints, brushes and funding for the cafe.
During the four weeks I made some lifelong friends who I still meet up with and talk to regularly. It allows us to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures and presenting me with new opportunities I never thought I would be able to achieve.
Ncs is a wide and diverse programme that encourages people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicity to come together and build life longs bonds.
