National Citizen Service Trust

National Citizen Service (NCS) is a government-backed and funded programme established in 2011 to help build a more cohesive, mobile and engaged society. By bringing together young people from different backgrounds for a unique shared experience, NCS helps them to become better individuals and, in turn, better citizens with a greater sense of purpose, optimism and belonging.

NCS aims to achieve this through:
● Social mixing: providing young people with the opportunity to build relationships with people from different social backgrounds;
● Challenge: putting them through a series of challenging activities to help develop their strength of character;
● Increased responsibility: placing more responsibility on them as the programme progresses, enabling them to develop the leadership skills necessary to succeed in their future endeavours;
● Reflection: encouraging young people to reflect and learn from their experiences, to become more resilient and confident in their decisions and relationships;
● Social action: enabling them to connect and engage with their local communities.

The programme, which lasts from two to four weeks during school holidays, is open to 16 to 17 year olds across England and Northern Ireland. It includes outdoor team-building exercises, a residential for participants to learn ‘life skills’, a community-based social action project, and an end of programme celebration event.

Over 400,000 young people have now taken part in NCS and it is the fastest growing youth movement in over a century.

National Citizen Service Trust is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated by Royal Charter and established to shape, support, champion and lead a thriving National Citizen Service. National Citizen Service Trust is registered in England and Wales with Royal Charter Body number RC000894. Our registered office is at The Pembroke Building, Kensington Village, Avonmore Road, London, W14 8DG