I enjoyed taking part in Fareham’s National Citizenship Service scheme, meeting teams of energetic young people raising money for charity. Along with four other dragons, I listened to 10 minute pitches by groups of 15 to 17 year-olds at Fareham College, took questions, provided feedback on their ideas and start-up funds for their fundraisers.
I was delighted to support Fareham's NCS this year as the teams pitched for financial support to the Dragons, held at Fareham College. Each team designed and presented a plan to raise money for a local charity and there were lots of great ideas and I was impressed by their ingenuity, positive attitude, teamwork and enthusiasm for social action.
The NCS is a good way to help young people to develop skills and confidence that will stay with them into later life. I urge all schools, colleges and parents to encourage pupils to become beneficiaries of this excellent programme.
NCS is a unique, full-time programme aimed at 15 to 17-year-olds and is delivering more confident, capable and engaged young people. Over 200,000 young people now having passed through the programme and the NCS has supported them to donate over 3 million hours of volunteering to their local communities. This summer was the biggest to date, with over 1,400 young people from across Hampshire taking part in an experience that will develop skills and insights to benefit them now and in later life.