Issue 19 - April 2012 (PDF) - Chipping Norton Times

Engaging Oxfordshire’s Young
People in their Communities
The National Citizen Service (NCS) is being piloted in Oxfordshire
this Summer. NCS is designed to prepare school leavers for
adult life, helping them to engage in their communities and
become active and responsible citizens.
The young people who participate in the scheme will be
involved in a variety of activities including personal
development challenges and a campaign of social action in their
local areas. It is important that the young people gain a broad
and detailed appreciation of their community, its needs,
challenges, opportunities and resources.
To successfully run the scheme we need the help of the whole
community and we are calling on local people and business to
get involved. This could take the form of sponsorship, provision
of materials or resources for the social action projects or
personal time supporting the young people to achieve their
goals.
Businesses could gain publicity, kudos, links with young people
who are potentially their employees of the future and possibly a
volunteer workforce for projects they support in their local
community.
Laura Coughtrie, Development Director for Connexions Thames
Valley, said “It’s really important that young people gain an
understanding of their local community to help them become
supportive and active citizens in their adult life. This is a
community project and we would like as many people as
possible to join in and help us to support young people in their
transition to adult life as it’s the local communities who will
benefit. Quite often young people get negative press and the
positive things that they do can sometimes get missed. The
pilot was a great success in other areas of the country last
summer and we are sure that Oxfordshire can equal and
possibly surpass that success, as long as we get the support
from local businesses and people that the young people on the
project will need.”
If you would like more information on the NCS scheme or you
feel you can help the young people in your area with their
community action projects then please call
0845 408 5026 / email ncs@cxtv.org.uk.
For further information contact Dave Cook, Head of Support
on: 0845 408 5002 or davidcook@cxtv.org.uk.
NCS will be supported by Connexions Thames Valley
Connexions is a publicly-funded charity providing expert,
confidential information, advice, guidance and personal
development services to all 13 – 19 year olds (up to 25 for those
with learning difficulties or disabilities). Connexions Personal
Advisers (PAs), who are based in schools, colleges and our
Connexions centres, aim to give young people the help and
support they need to reach their full potential and give
professional advice and guidance on a range of subjects
including; careers and training, education and qualifications,
money matters, housing, substance misuse, bullying,
relationships, sexual health and teenage pregnancy. Connexions
Thames Valley has its own Independent Chair and Board of
Trustees drawn from the local area including young people, local
authorities, voluntary and community sector, schools, colleges,
police and health.
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