The National Citizenship Service (NCS) discussion and help thread

Tbh not really, I thought 3 weeks might be too daunting for me so I'm glad I decided to do it in Spring instead. Obviously a week of activites would have been better but I feel like I got to know everyone well after a week so it didnt really matter

It depends, if you're more outgoing then summer would be more suitable but for someone like me who wants to get out of my comfort zone but not too much, then the shorter ones are great

Also, does anyone know if they group you according to the area of your school or the area you live in?

I'm starting NCS on the 11th of July with VINSPIRED and am very excited. I am from Darlington (the North-East).

I've got a small question and would be very grateful if you could help me. I know people have said that they made friends quickly and bonded with their group straight away but I'm worried. I am not naturally very social and am quite shy; especially amongst strangers. I don't talk much and have a close friends of group that I hang around with 24/7. I would consider myself to be slightly different and am more geeky/nerdy (I've never been one of the populars). Do people judge you? Is it easy to introduce yourself?

I'm starting NCS on the 11th of July with VINSPIRED and am very excited. I am from Darlington (the North-East).

I've got a small question and would be very grateful if you could help me. I know people have said that they made friends quickly and bonded with their group straight away but I'm worried. I am not naturally very social and am quite shy; especially amongst strangers. I don't talk much and have a close friends of group that I hang around with 24/7. I would consider myself to be slightly different and am more geeky/nerdy (I've never been one of the populars). Do people judge you? Is it easy to introduce yourself?

I cant do NCS anymore even though I really want to. It has gone over the 14 day period would i still be able to get a refund? If not where exactly does my money go

From the sound of their website I don't think so I guess the money would be used like everyone else's fees, to fund the programme.

Heyy, Im doing NCS this summer.
26 Jul 2017 until 17 Aug 2017
From London
Anyone else?

I completely forgot about this........sorry

So my story is a bit different to Niamh's because I did the shorter Spring course in February 2016, I thought I would be comfortable if I just went for a week because I'm not the most confident person

Section 1 = The first section was absolutely amazing,we went to the Pioneer Centre in Kidderminster. My team was made of a big friendship group of like 7, 3 pairs and 2 of us on our own (I was one of them) We got on so well, the activites were amazing, I did the leap of faith which is definitely one of my biggest achievements (never thought I would ever be able to do that), climbing, indoor caving, archery, fencing etc. and we bonded so well with all our little team exercises. Most of them involved being squished together trying to stay on a box or something. My favourite bit was when we went home and we started a facebook chat, everyone was so supportive of each other

Section 2 = This bit we went to our town's college to like get to know each other and do stuff before starting our projects. We had 3 dropouts, one pair (apparently they were too busy....) and the other person on their own dropped out (dont think he was enjoying himself tbh). Therefore, we officially became Thirteen Sardines (see Section 1 for team activities and you'll get why) We played card games like Cops and Robbers which I wasnt very good at but it was good fun, our team leaders were amazing

Section 3 = This was the actual project which tbh wasn't that successful. We were going to do mufti days and stuff at primary schools and our schools but my school literally ignored me and my primary school wanted to but couldn't (did do an interview tho so they were interested) We did better with the Rucksack Project part of our project and made up like 20 rucksacks (I made 3 thanks to my tutor and some teachers in school) and also made hands for Alzheimers Society. We graduated tho and that was a relief

It was definitely a brilliant experience and I've made several friends. Our group chat is still up and running, ocassionally we talk on it and we wish each other happy birthdays and stuff. Would be nice to meet again but we'll see what happens. One of our team leaders is on there and we had a conversation about stuff that was happening so that was really good

So yeah definitely do it

Im doing mine on the 13th august (Late, I know) i think, and im in London
Im kind of nervous but my sister did it a few years ago and she said she enjoyed it (She did sports but there were lots of arguments in her team )

Dont really know what to expect