NCS is a summer youth programme which was initiated by the government and delivered by different organisations nationally, including Chelsea Football Club. It is designed for 16- to 17-year-olds.

The programme, which is based at Stamford Bridge among a number of other venues, will begin on Monday 18 July this year, with the second week of the two-week programme starting on Monday 1 August.

The outdoor element of the programme gives young people the opportunity to take on challenges they wouldn’t in their everyday life. Past activities on this phase include trips to GoApe, Flip Out and other outdoor activity centres. The outdoor activities enable young people to work collectively to encourage one another in challenging scenarios.

The residential stage of the programme will take place at Grosvenor Hall and Juniper Hall. This part of the project will educate young people on business and finance skills, working with companies in the sports, e-sports, banking sector as well as many more.

As part of the Social Action phase of the programme, young people help make an impactful, positive change in their local community. Young people on past years have assisted with the re-development of the All-Stars Boxing gym in Kensington.

Additionally, young people have worked with Foundation staff at refugee football sessions, litter picking in the local community and volunteering at local food banks.David Armstrong, Chelsea Foundation’s NCS senior project officer, said: ‘We are working hard to make this summer’s NCS provision the biggest and best yet for the Foundation. We aim to provide the best NCS experience in London.’

Stephen Ganley, project officer, added: ‘NCS is a great way for school leavers and senior students to gain access to life and career-building opportunities. Young people will understand more about their local community and provide them with a fantastic platform to give back to the community they are from.’

An add-on to the NCS programme is the Changemakers project, which provides graduates of the NCS programme the opportunity to become ambassadors – encouraging future young people to take part in NCS, volunteer on the programme and also become staff members for future NCS projects. Changemakers allows young people to enhance the skills they developed while taking part in the NCS programme. Find out more about Changemakers here.

Students in the local boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth can look to register their interest on the exciting programme here.

Additionally, students can speak with their schools’ Heads of Year or career advisors for more information. The cost to take part in the NCS programme is £50. This can be supported and financially backed by the NCS Trust to ensure everyone can access the programme.

For more information on the Foundation’s delivery of the NCS programme please contact [email protected] or [email protected]