VODA is currently recruiting young people aged 16-17 to take part in this summer's National Citizen Service (NCS) project. National Citizen Service (NCS) is a six-week programme delivered during the summer holidays. It provides young people with the opportunity to:

• Take on new challenges and learn new skills
• Make a difference while making new friends
• Grow their confidence and your CV
• Experience something new as they help out your community
• Graduate with a certificate signed by the Prime Minister

NCS is for any young person aged 16-17 regardless of background or ability. Support from Balfour Beatty means that we can now offer a limited number of free places to young people in North Tyneside if they apply directly through VODA.

• Week 1 – Outdoor Activity Residential
  Five days away from home taking part in a range of outdoor activities. You and your team will challenge yourselves, develop your team work skills and make lots of new friends. Depending on which team you are in you will have the chance to go to Lancashire, Perthshire or the Lake District.
   
• Week 2 – Local Residential
  Five days living together with your team in a community centre in North Tyneside, exploring the local community whilst learning some new skills and taking part in team activities. You will be responsible for planning and cooking all your meals together, and will have the chance to visit some local community projects including the Rising Sun Farm.
   
• Week 3 – Project Planning
  Five days to plan your own community project using all the skills of your team, and learning some new ones along the way. You will have the opportunity to win up to £300 towards your project from a ‘Dragon’s Den’ and will receive help and advice from local business experts.
   
• Weeks 4, 5 and 6 - Community Action
  30 hours over two weeks to put your plan into action, carry out your project and evaluate the change you have made to the community. 

During the two residential weeks all food, transport, accommodation and activities are fully paid for. During the other weeks we will reimburse your travel costs but you’ll need to bring a packed lunch.

After completing the programme you will celebrate your achievements at a Graduation Event where you will be presented with your National Citizen Service certificate and be offered lots of new opportunities to make use of your new skills and experiences.

Last year's participants demonstrated an amazing increase in their skills and confidence as a result of taking part in the programme with 87% of young people recording an increase in their confidence, team work and communication skills.

For more information or to request an application pack please contact Robin Fry at VODA on 0191 643 2634 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with you name, address, telephone number, email address and date of birth.

“I met a lot of amazing people during the programme, I made a lot of friends and that's the part that I enjoyed the most”

“I knew no-one then all of a sudden I was mates with everyone”

“You can build confidence, you can make new friends and you can learn about the community. So you get everything that you could possibly have really.”