Saturday’s game between Blackpool and Walsall will see local graduates from Blackpool FC Community Trust’s National Citizen Service (NCS) programme enjoy VIP treatment.
The graduates will join the players on the pitch to launch ‘NCS Match Day’, a special event organised by Blackpool FC Community Trust. The first team squad will also wear NCS Match Day t-shirts during the handshake prior to kick-off.
NCS Match Day, which is supported by the Trust and the Club, will launch the national two-week NCS Match Day activity across the country.
NCS is a nationwide experience for Year 11’s and 12’s, offering them a chance to develop new skills for whatever post-GCSE life has to throw at them.
See below some of the things NCS participants will take part in:
ADVENTURE
Phase 1
Feel the freedom of the outside world during five days away from home, taking on adrenaline-fuelled activities like rock climbing, canoeing and archery. Your team will cheer you along every step of the way, sharing in every challenge, every success. Then you’ll have a few days back at home for some much-needed rest.
DISCOVERY
Phase 2
Expect transformation, because this week is all about developing YOU. Living independently, you’ll learn essential life skills from local business leaders and charities, gain confidence in public speaking, communications skills and budgeting. It all looks great on your CV, whatever you do next.
SOCIAL ACTION
Phase 3
Now it’s time to make your mark. Back at home, you and your team will devise a community project based on an issue you feel passionate about. You have the skills and confidence to do anything – the more original, the better! This is your chance to feel proud by making a real difference in your community.
Tom Hanslip, an NCS graduate said, “NCS was beneficial in helping me grow and develop as a person ready for the future I have ahead of me. It helped me to break down various barriers that affected my everyday life and as a person, I became so much more confident.”
Inclusion Officer, Katy Hooton helps deliver the Trust’s NCS programme and she said, “The best outcome for me is to see the difference in the young people from when they first meet with us in recruitment to their graduation and how they’ve developed within themselves. To know that our programme has impacted on their lives in such a way, is the best reward you could ask for.”
Blackpool FC Community Trust’s NCS Ambassador and Blackpool FC goalkeeper, Myles Boney, is a big supporter of the programme after taking part in it in 2016 whilst part of the youth team. Myles said, “I think NCS is brilliant. It gives young people the chance to experience different activities and challenges whilst building new friendships and benefitting the local community.”
Places are limited for the Summer 2019 NCS programme with young people jumping at the opportunity to take part in the programme that starts Monday 22ndJuly running for 3 weeks.
For more information on NCS please visit www.ncsyes.co.ukand email Jonny.Ellithorn@bfcct.co.ukor call 01253 348691 to start the sign up process.