Charity in Ellesmere Port to run National Citizen Service pilot in Cheshire and Wirral

Dec 7 2011 by Katie Bamber, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

AN ELLESMERE Port-based young people’s charity has been chosen to run a National Citizen Service (NCS) pilot scheme in Cheshire and Wirral next year.

Youth Federation, based on Rossmore Business Village, will deliver the programme in the region next summer.

NCS is a voluntary eight-week scheme for 16-year-olds that aims to bring young people from different backgrounds together to make a difference in their communities.

The Government programme is being piloted over two years across England, with next year’s scheme offering 30,000 places to young people nationwide.

Helene Devey of Youth Federation said: “I am so glad we are delivering the project again next summer as it changed a lot of young people’s lives in Cheshire last year where the participants gained valuable experience and made lifelong friends.”

Minister for civil society Nick Hurd said: “I have been extremely impressed by the fantastic community spirit being created and the dedication, hard work and tenacity not only of the NCS participants but also their youth workers and leaders.”