UNIVERSITY OF THE FIRST AGEClick above for further details on the official University of the First Age website

The government-backed National Citizen Service is going to be running in Kirklees this summer and the organisation, UFA, is the delivery partner for this area. This opportunity is now opened up to Year 12 students.

There are only 150 places in total for the whole of Kirklees so if you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity please contact us as soon as possible.

In brief, NCS is a flagship government initiative which aims to promote a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society by bringing young people from different backgrounds together to make a difference in their communities. It is a voluntary programme which focuses on personal and social development and comprises of challenging activities, from away-from-home residential experiences to a self-designed social action project.

We believe that this extension to Year 12 students would be: Excellent for extended projects, Excellent for CV, Excellent for IB, Excellent for DoE Gold and Excellent for UCAS personal statement.

The National Citizen Service programme is being run in the Kirklees area by UFA. This takes place during July and August (different start dates for different groups) and would require the participants to be available for about 4 weeks. They can also use the residential and volunteering parts of the programme as evidence for their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award or could form the basis of an extended project.

The programme involves two weeks of residential – one at the Kingswood Centre near Doncaster (outward bound type activities) and one closer to home at Storthes Hall and is followed by a planning week and culminates in the young people running their own social action project in their own home area.

It would only cost the young people £25 in total (if they have free school meals then it is free!) and they would be provided with transport to the first residential.

2012 will be the second year of the government-backed NCS programme. It aims to support 16 year olds to develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more engaged with their communities and become active and responsible citizens. It is a challenging and enjoyable opportunity for young people to gain new skills, meet people they would not normally meet and work together for the benefit of their communities.

NCS are recruiting groups of young people into teams of 15, if you are able to recruit a team or part of a team they are able to pay £150 to your organisation as a thank you for your time. (Based on £10 per young person who signs up and joins the scheme). If you are able to recruit then please contact NCS and they can send you the application forms for young people.

More general information about the scheme is available at www.direct.gov.uk/nationalcitizenservice and also on the website www.ufa.org.uk

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The Programme

Feel the Fear & Do it Anyway Challenge:

This is a full-time residential week away from home with a focus on teamwork and outdoor physical challenges at Kingswood Dearne Valley, South Yorkshire. Young people will work in socially mixed teams, bonding through a week of challenging activities mostly led by Kingswood staff. The Team Leaders will be responsible for facilitating reflection on the day’s experiences and what team members have learned about themselves, teamwork and leadership.

People with Passions and Heroes from Home Challenge:

Teams return home for a further full-time residential week based at Storthes Hall, with a focus on developing new skills and serving groups in the community.

‘Big Plans’ Challenge:

For the next consecutive week, young people will design a social action project in consultation with the local community. This week is non-residential, but full-time (Mon-Fri). Teams will design a project that will deliver tangible benefit to the local community and agree a plan to deliver it in around 30 hours, including time spent at weekends and evenings if appropriate.

‘Social Action Projects’ Challenge:

This is a period of 30 hours social action on a part-time basis, during which the teams will deliver the project they designed in the previous challenge.

Celebration Event:

At the end of the social action projects we’ll organise an event to encourage young people to get involved in ongoing social action or volunteering activities in their area and sign-post them to further opportunities. We’ll also hold a large celebration and graduation event for participants and their guests.

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Dates

COHORT ONE
9 – 13 July Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
16 – 20 July People with Passions and Heroes from Home
23 – 27 July ‘Big Plans’ Challenge
From 30 July ‘Social Action Projects’ Challenge

COHORT TWO
16 – 20 July Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
23 – 27 July People with Passions and Heroes from Home
30 Jul – 3 Aug ‘Big Plans’ Challenge
From 6 August ‘Social Action Projects’ Challenge

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FAQs for young people

Q: Why should I get involved?

A: There is a lot of competition out there for college and university places and also in the job market – this experience may help you stand out from the crowd. It will also really help you to develop your skills, things like team work and communication, planning and organisation.

You will also have a chance to make friends from different parts of your town or city and also from different parts of the country.

Q: What do I do next?

A: If you’re interested talk to your family and think about your commitment over the summer. If you want to be part of this amazing experience get an application form and return it to your school co-ordinator as soon as possible.

Q: How do I apply?

A: You will need to fill in the application form, get consent from your parent or guardian and pay your £25. The Local coordinator will consider all the applications and let you know if you have made it fairly soon.

Q: What do I have to do?

A: You will be working in teams to develop a social action project in your area. Your residential experiences will develop your skills; as a team player, as a communicator and also in thinking of ideas

Q: Where are the residentials?

A: The first (away from home) residential will be at Kingswood Activity Centre in Doncaster.

The second week residential (local) will be at Storthes Hall.

Q: Do I have to make my own way there?

A: You will be taken to the first residential (away from home) by coach. You will need to make your own way to the local pick-up point. For the other parts of the scheme you will need to make your own way there. Some people may be able to get help with travel costs.

Q: Can my friend come with me?

A: Absolutely! We need to get 15 people from each school so getting a friend to apply with you is a good idea. You will meet other people from your town or city as well as people from other parts of the country so you will make new friends as well as being with people you knows.

Q: When are the residentials?

A: The first residential runs from either 9th-13th July or 16th-20th July. The second one runs the following week.

Q: How long are the sessions?

A: On the residentials the days will be quite full with activities in the evening as well as during the day. The sessions during the third week (non-residential) will run 9.30-3.30 each day

Q: What do I need to wear?

A: On the residentials you will need to wear casual and comfortable clothes. Any specialist equipment for outdoor activities will be provided. You will get a suggested kit list nearer the time.

Q: Will you take any photos?

A: Yes, we will take photos and video footage. We will get your permission for this before the start of the programme.

Q: Who are the tutors?

A: The tutors and volunteers will be local people who have a lot of experience working with young people. They may be youth workers, teachers or adults with special skills such as art or music. They will all be trained and fully checked before they start working with you.

Q: Can I get any qualifications?

A: No. We are not offering this opportunity this year. However you may be able to keep a record of your experiences and progress and use this as part of a portfolio towards other qualifications and awards such as Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Your personal development with be really helpful when applying for college, university, training or employment.

Q: Do I have to attend all of it?

A: Yes. This is really important. You will be working in project teams and you will have responsibilities to keep. The residentials have been designed to give you as much development as possible so if you miss a day you will miss out on important and exciting stuff!

Q: When does it start and end?

A: The UFA NCS programme starts on either 9th or 16th July and runs for 3 weeks and then you will carry out your social action project. You should be able to complete everything by the end of August.

Q: How much will this cost?

A: This experience will only cost you £25! This includes two weeks residential experience, all food and activity costs. You will only need to provide your own transport to the local residential and to the coach pick-up point for the away from home residential. Some people may be able to even get help with these costs.

Q: What if I can’t afford to pay?

A: We have set the cost at the lowest possible amount so that as many people as possible are able to access this programme. Talk to your local coordinator or school liaison to see if you can pay weekly or your school may be able to help with the costs.

Q: What if I have a disability?

A: That’s not a problem at all. Please tell us about your disability on your application form so that we can provide additional support if necessary and make sure the activities and venues are suitable for your needs.

Q: What if I want to observe Ramadan during the project?

A: Ramadan starts on Friday 20th July 2012. Please let us know if you would like us to be aware of your religious observances and we will provide somewhere for you to pray and support you with breaking your fast.

Q: Will I be able to collect my GCSE results?

A: Yes of course, GCSE results day is on Thursday 23rd August 2012.

Q: Will I be able to go to my end of year prom?

A: Definitely, we don’t want you to miss out on your end of your celebrations at school.

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Contact

Jan Polack – National Manager
University of the First Age
St Paul’s Cottages
59-60 Water Street
The Jewellery Quarter
Birmingham
B3 1EP
Tel: 0121 212 9838
Mob: 07980 673803

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